Death of Tyre Nichols: Eric Garner’s mother asks “When will this stop?”

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — When Memphis officials released the police video of the violent arrest of Tyre Nichols, Eric Garner’s mother was speaking in Pittsburgh at the closing of an exhibit at the August Wilson Cultural Center.

Garner died after being choked by an NYPD police officer in 2014. Nichols died a few days after what was described by his family and authorities as a violent confrontation resulting from a traffic stop.

Not a minute goes by that Gwen Carr doesn’t think about her son. This July marks nine years since Garner’s death when he screamed, “I can’t breathe” as he was choked by an NYPD cop.

“You relive it over and over again. It never goes away,” Carr told KDKA-TV in an exclusive interview on Friday.

To this day, when another black man is killed by the police, she avoids watching the video.

“I don’t need to watch them. I have seen the photos. I’ve heard the story,” Carr said.

Including Nichols.

“When will it stop? Will it ever stop?” Carr said.

Video of Nichols meeting with Memphis police earlier this month was released late Friday night.

“For them to jump on an innocent person and just beat him to a pulp, for what reason?” Carr said.

The brutal arrest led to second-degree murder charges against five officers who were fired in connection with the incident. Carr said it was a step in the right direction, but only a step.

“It’s not over yet. This is not a slam dunk. I know this from my work. I know this from the George Floyd case, it’s not just that,” Carr said.

She hopes Memphis officials will do more.

“It’s not about training, it’s about the agenda for some of these cops,” Carr said.

When Nichols’ mother was ready to lend a helping hand, Carr said she would be there to listen.

“Try to be strong. I know it’s heartbreaking to see your son, but I’m praying for you and all other mothers are praying for you,” Carr said.

Officials fired the officer in the Garner case five years after the incident. He was never charged, but the family reached an agreement with New York.

On Saturday morning, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey released a statement.

“Tire Nichols was a father, he was an artist, a skater, a young man who was loved and who had a full life ahead of him. Today the mother no longer has a son, and the child no longer has a father.

“My heart and my prayers go out to his family, friends and the entire city of Memphis. Tyre must be alive today, and his murder at the hands of law enforcement makes it clear that our work to change the culture of policing is critical to our city and our country.

“Black and brown people should never fear for their lives because of a traffic stop. We must never stop our work to end this injustice.

“We respect and understand the need for protest and hope the family’s wishes for it to be peaceful will be taken into account as we honor Tyr’s life.”