This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-30336995

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Reverend Al Sharpton: US grand jury system 'broken' Eric Garner death: US grand jury system 'broken'
(34 minutes later)
Civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton has labelled the US grand jury system "broken" and called on the justice department to address it. Civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton has labelled the US grand jury system "broken" and called on the federal government to address it.
Earlier the US justice department said it will investigate the death of a black man placed in an apparent chokehold by a New York police officer.Earlier the US justice department said it will investigate the death of a black man placed in an apparent chokehold by a New York police officer.
Activists have called for a march in Washington next week as a result.Activists have called for a march in Washington next week as a result.
A federal probe into police in Cleveland found a pattern of "unreasonable force".A federal probe into police in Cleveland found a pattern of "unreasonable force".
The justice department found a systemic pattern of reckless and inappropriate use of force by officers in Cleveland, a report released on Thursday said.The justice department found a systemic pattern of reckless and inappropriate use of force by officers in Cleveland, a report released on Thursday said.
"We saw too many incidents in which officers accidentally shot someone either because they fired their guns accidentally or because they shot the wrong person," the report said."We saw too many incidents in which officers accidentally shot someone either because they fired their guns accidentally or because they shot the wrong person," the report said.
Before that report, civil rights leaders spoke about the case of Eric Garner, the man who died after being restrained in New York.Before that report, civil rights leaders spoke about the case of Eric Garner, the man who died after being restrained in New York.
"We need to centralise and make clear that we want the justice department and the federal government to deal with the fact that the grand jury systems on a state level are broken and seem to lack the capacity to deal with police," Rev Sharpton said on Thursday."We need to centralise and make clear that we want the justice department and the federal government to deal with the fact that the grand jury systems on a state level are broken and seem to lack the capacity to deal with police," Rev Sharpton said on Thursday.
His statements follow an announcement by Attorney General Eric Holder launching "an independent, thorough, fair and expeditious" investigation into potential civil rights violations in the chokehold case.His statements follow an announcement by Attorney General Eric Holder launching "an independent, thorough, fair and expeditious" investigation into potential civil rights violations in the chokehold case.
Mr Holder said he was continuing a review of how to heal a "breakdown in trust" between police and communities.Mr Holder said he was continuing a review of how to heal a "breakdown in trust" between police and communities.
The justice department, he said, would conduct a "complete review" of material gathered in the local investigation. "All lives must be valued - all lives," he added.The justice department, he said, would conduct a "complete review" of material gathered in the local investigation. "All lives must be valued - all lives," he added.
Also on Thursday, President Barack Obama said "too many Americans feel deep unfairness when it comes to the gap between our professed ideals and how laws are applied on a day-to-day basis".
Mr Garner, 43, was stopped on a street in New York on 17 July on suspicion of selling loose, untaxed cigarettes.Mr Garner, 43, was stopped on a street in New York on 17 July on suspicion of selling loose, untaxed cigarettes.
After a confrontation with police he was wrestled to the ground and restrained by force. He became unresponsive and later died.After a confrontation with police he was wrestled to the ground and restrained by force. He became unresponsive and later died.
America saw a wave of race-related unrest only last week over the decision not to indict another white police officer who had shot dead a young black man in Ferguson, Missouri.America saw a wave of race-related unrest only last week over the decision not to indict another white police officer who had shot dead a young black man in Ferguson, Missouri.
Nick Bryant, BBC News, New York
In isolation, the decision of the grand jury in Staten Island not to indict the white NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo would have sparked anger.In isolation, the decision of the grand jury in Staten Island not to indict the white NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo would have sparked anger.
The fact that it came less than 10 days after a grand jury in Missouri decided that the white officer involved in the shooting of Michael Brown should not face criminal charges has amplified the sense of racial injustice felt by those who believe the decision is inexplicable.The fact that it came less than 10 days after a grand jury in Missouri decided that the white officer involved in the shooting of Michael Brown should not face criminal charges has amplified the sense of racial injustice felt by those who believe the decision is inexplicable.
In contrast to Ferguson, there is video evidence showing what happened in Staten Island. New York's medical examiner had already ruled that the death of Eric Garner was a homicide, and that the chokehold contributed to it.In contrast to Ferguson, there is video evidence showing what happened in Staten Island. New York's medical examiner had already ruled that the death of Eric Garner was a homicide, and that the chokehold contributed to it.
Even though America has a black president and a black attorney general, Eric Holder, this will reinforce the widespread feeling in poor African-American communities that the criminal justice system is weighted against them, and that the law is not colour-blind.Even though America has a black president and a black attorney general, Eric Holder, this will reinforce the widespread feeling in poor African-American communities that the criminal justice system is weighted against them, and that the law is not colour-blind.
The confrontation between Eric Garner and police officer Daniel Pantaleo was captured on a mobile phone.The confrontation between Eric Garner and police officer Daniel Pantaleo was captured on a mobile phone.
The footage shows Mr Pantaleo and other officers arresting him after a lengthy exchange during which he verbally refuses to be handcuffed.The footage shows Mr Pantaleo and other officers arresting him after a lengthy exchange during which he verbally refuses to be handcuffed.
Several officers move to restrain Mr Garner, with Mr Pantaleo holding him by the neck. The detainee, who is asthmatic, can be heard shouting repeatedly, "I can't breathe!".Several officers move to restrain Mr Garner, with Mr Pantaleo holding him by the neck. The detainee, who is asthmatic, can be heard shouting repeatedly, "I can't breathe!".
City officials found Mr Garner's death was caused by "the compression of his chest and prone positioning during physical restraint by police".City officials found Mr Garner's death was caused by "the compression of his chest and prone positioning during physical restraint by police".
Asthma and heart disease also contributed to his death, they said.Asthma and heart disease also contributed to his death, they said.
When the grand jury decided not to bring charges against Mr Pantaleo, the announcement perplexed legal experts.When the grand jury decided not to bring charges against Mr Pantaleo, the announcement perplexed legal experts.
Ekow Yankah, a professor at Cardozo School of Law, told the Associated Press it was "hard to understand" how the jury failed to see probably cause of a crime.Ekow Yankah, a professor at Cardozo School of Law, told the Associated Press it was "hard to understand" how the jury failed to see probably cause of a crime.
James Cohen of Fordham University Law School added: "Logic doesn't play a role in this process."James Cohen of Fordham University Law School added: "Logic doesn't play a role in this process."
On the streets protesters marched through New York and other cities in the US late on Wednesday, occasionally disrupting traffic, chanting "I can't breathe!" and "Hands up - don't choke!"On the streets protesters marched through New York and other cities in the US late on Wednesday, occasionally disrupting traffic, chanting "I can't breathe!" and "Hands up - don't choke!"
What is a grand jury?
After the grand jury decision President Obama said: "When anybody in this country is not being treated equally under the law, that is a problem, and it's my job as president to help solve it."
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio called the outcome "one that many in our city did not want" and appealed for a "peaceful, constructive" response.
Garner family lawyer Jonathon Moore said he was "astonished" by it, and Eric Garner's widow, Esaw Garner, said her husband's death would "not be in vain".
"I'm determined to get justice for my husband, because he shouldn't have been killed in that way," she said.
Mr Garner's daughter, Erica Snipes, told the BBC she was outraged: "On that video you can see the most cruel horrible thing that someone could do to someone. It's just not right."
Civil rights activists Al Sharpton called for a march in Washington on 13 December, saying that state prosecutors worked "hand in hand with the local police".
Mr Pantaleo issued a statement in which he said it had never been his "intention to harm anyone" and that he was praying for Garner and his family.
Mr Pantaleo's lawyer argued he had used a move taught by the police department, not a chokehold which is banned under New York Police Department policy.
Since Mr Garner's death, officers at the largest police department in the US have been ordered to undergo retraining on restraint.
Are you in the region? Your can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in the region? Your can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read our terms and conditions.Read our terms and conditions.
Have your sayHave your say