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Family to discuss $5.9 million settlement in chokehold death

FILE - In this July 8, 2015 file photo, Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner, right, joins women whose families members were killed by police officers after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order that puts the office of the state attorney general in charge of investigating killings by police. New York City reached a settlement Monday, July 13 with the family of Garner for about $5.9 million, almost a year after the 43-year-old died in police custody. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
FILE - In this July 8, 2015 file photo, Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner, right, joins women whose families members were killed by police officers after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order that puts the office of the state attorney general in charge of investigating killings by police. New York City reached a settlement Monday, July 13 with the family of Garner for about $5.9 million, almost a year after the 43-year-old died in police custody. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

By Associated Press 3 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – The family of a black man who died after being placed in a white police officer’s chokehold is holding a press conference to discuss a $5.9 million settlement it reached with the city days before the anniversary of his death.

Tuesday’s news conference will be held with attorneys for the family of Eric Garner and the Rev. Al Sharpton, who also will call on New Yorkers to attend a Saturday rally in honor of Garner and other victims of police misconduct.

The settlement was announced Monday. Garner’s family in October filed a notice of claim, the first step in filing a lawsuit against the city, asking for $75 million.

Garner, who was 43, was stopped last July 17 outside a Staten Island convenience store because police officers believed he was selling loose, untaxed cigarettes. A video shot by an onlooker shows Garner telling the officers to leave him alone and refusing to be handcuffed.

Officer Daniel Pantaleo placed his arm around Garner’s neck to take him down. Garner, who had asthma, is heard gasping “I can’t breathe!” 11 times before losing consciousness. He was pronounced dead later at a hospital.