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A New York City police sergeant has been stripped of her gun and badge in connection with the July 2014 death of Eric Garner, a 43-year-old black Staten Island man who died after police to administered a controversial choke hold.

The case was one in a string that drew nationwide protests and attention to the issue of alleged police misconduct. The refrain “I can’t breathe,” said by the asthmatic Garner to police at least 11 times as police held him to the ground and before he died, became a rallying cry for protesters who claim a pattern of misconduct by law enforcement against black men.

Sgt. Kizzy Adonis has been subject to disciplinary charges, according to the NYPD. Officials said Friday that Adonis, who is black, was charged with failure to supervise, an internal charge.

In an internal NYPD report referenced widely in the media, Adonis is quoted as saying, “the perpetrator’s condition did not seem serious and … he did not appear to get worse.

Adonis was a supervising officer on the scene when police approached Garner on a Staten Island street under suspicion of selling untaxed, loose cigarettes.
The Garner family did not immediately respond to an email sent to one of its members Friday night.

Adonis’ labor union, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, could not immediately be reached Friday, but Sgt. Ed Mullins, SBA president, told the media earlier Friday that the charge against Adonis was nonsensical. He pointed out that Adonis was near the scene on another task and joined the response after hearing on her radio about developments.

“She chose to go there to help out and look what happens,” the Los Angeles Times quoted Mullins as saying. “This incident stems from failed (NYPD) policies that ultimately led to the death of Eric Garner.”

In December 2014, a grand jury opted not to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death. The decision prompted marches and protests across the country.

Source: USA Today