I can find no source that says Garner actually had loose cigarettes on him on that day.
From what I could find, Garner had sold loose cigarettes in the past. And he had just broken up a fight before the plainclothes police arrived.
So here's a very reasonable scenario: Garner had just broken up a fight. He did a good thing. And then the cops show up and far from congratulating him, start hassling him for something he wasn't (currently) doing.
Of course, the scenario collapses if Garner actually was selling loose cigarettes on the day. does anybody here know for sure?
“I can find no source that says Garner actually had loose cigarettes on him on that day.”
I don’t remember the source, but I did read one news story (official outlet) that said the police had been called by the store owner twice that day before responding because of Garner selling cigarettes outside the store.