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Where You Can Find An Eric Garner Protest

by Lauren Barbato

Following the Staten Island grand jury's decision not to charge police officer Daniel Pantaleo for the death of 43-year-old Eric Garner, New York City exploded with fervent protests, sit-ins and even "die-ins." Demonstrators took their cause to some of the city's most famous — and crowded — attractions, including Times Square, Rockefeller Center and Grand Central Terminal. But these protests won't be limited to New York City. Over the next few days, you can expect to see rallies and demonstrations in cities across the nation.

"This fight ain’t over," Garner's wife, Esaw, said in a news conference on Wednesday. "It’s just begun."

Here's where you can find demonstrations in solidarity with Eric Garner and his family over the next few days...

Boston

The Boston Police Department and Mayor Marty Walsh said on Thursday that protesters are expected to rally at the city's annual tree lighting, which takes place at the Boston Common in the heart of downtown. Boston Police Commissioner William Evans told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 that there will be extra police officers on hand at the event, which tends to attract hundreds of families.

Evans told the local radio station:

We’ll accommodate the protesters if they want to march. Our role is to facilitate that and ask them and respect their rights, as well as they respect (ours), we have a tough job to do to make sure nobody gets hurt.
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Thursday's Boston Common protest, called "We Are The Ones, Justice For Eric Garner," will take place at 7 p.m. According to the event's Facebook page, more than 6,000 people have said they will attend.

New York City

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New York, of course, will be seeing a slew of rallies and protests Thursday night in various parts of the city. According to the New York Civil Liberties Union, protesters are gathering at Foley Square at 5:30 p.m. The NYCLU will be on hand to provide demonstrators with information on their rights.

More protests are expected Thursday night in Union Square, Times Square and Staten Island, where Garner was from.

Chicago

The Stop Mass Incarceration Network Chicago is organizing a Justice For Eric Garner rally at the intersection of State & Jackson in Chicago. The protest event will start at 5 p.m.

Earlier on Thursday, students at the University of Chicago held a die-in near the esteemed campus. According to social media reports, the students blocked traffic at a busy intersection for at least 30 minutes.

Arizona

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Various cities in Arizona are holding #ThisStopsToday rallies for Eric Garner on Thursday and Friday. Protesters will gather at the City Hall in Flagstaff and Tempe Beach Park in Tempe on Thursday, and at the First Friday Art Walk in Phoenix on Friday.

For a full list of #ThisStopsToday rallies in the upcoming days, visit the Ferguson Response Tumblr for a comprehensive index on protest events in your state.

Images: Getty Images (4)