Eric Garner’s family urges federal charges one year after his death

One year after Staten Island man Eric Garner died in a chokehold by New York Police Department Officer Daniel Pantaleo, his family is calling for federal charges.

Garner’s family will receive $5.9 million in damages from the city of New York, according to the settlement announced Monday. But the settlement does not mean that justice has been served, Garner’s family and the Rev. Al Sharpton said in a statement.

“No federal charges have been filed against the officer who killed Mr. Garner, and the settlement with the city does not establish justice,” the statement said.

Police accused Garner of illegally selling loose cigarettes and were arresting him when Pantaleo placed him in a chokehold. Garner told officers he couldn’t breathe 11 times before he died and the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide.

A grand jury decided not to indict officer Pantaleo and the Justice Department opened a federal civil rights inquiry into the incident in December.

Groups across the country are planning events to remember Garner’s life. Garner’s family will march today through Coney Island to mark the anniversary, according to PIX 11. Garner’s family, their attorney Jonathan Moore and Sharpton will also hold a rally on Saturday at the U.S. Federal Courthouse Eastern District Cadman Plaza at 12:30 p.m. EDT, according to the National Action Network.

The group Stop Mass Incarceration Network will hold a protest rally on Staten Island at 1 p.m. EDT today to mark the anniversary, according to CBS New York. A concert in Oakland, California, tonight will recognize the anniversary, The New York Times reported.