Rallies planned after Eric Garner, 43, suffers heart attack, dies while in police custody

Rallies are planned after a New York City man died while in police custody on Thursday. The NYPD says 43-year-old Eric Garner suffered a heart attack during a struggle with officers, who were trying

News 12 Staff

Jul 20, 2014, 2:24 AM

Updated 3,816 days ago

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Rallies are planned after a New York City man died while in police custody on Thursday.
The NYPD says 43-year-old Eric Garner suffered a heart attack during a struggle with officers, who were trying to arrest him for allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes. 
Surveillance video of the incident purportedly shows an officer using what appears to be a chokehold to place Garner into custody. The 6-foot-3, 350-pound man can allegedly be heard saying he cannot breathe during the struggle.
Police say two officers involved in the arrest are being placed on modified duty.
Following the incident, Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton have promised a full investigation.
Rev. Al Sharpton says there will be two events to call attention to Garner's death. 
Mayor de Blasio says he has postponed his planned family vacation in Italy to meet with community leaders and city officials on the incident.