When I first saw the video, it wasn't the take-down that bothered me, but the fact that none of the police officers tried to help him when he was on the ground waiting for the emergency vehicle. I don't know how much of the video was cut out. Did the police sergeant try to assist? Did anyone try to assist? Was he breathing? If he was then the take-down itself may not have been what killed him.
A choke hold is when the forearm is used to place pressure on the windpipe and there is danger of the windpipe being crushed.
A head lock is when the chin of the perp is in the elbow and in that position it is nearly impossible for the windpipe to be crushed.
Arm around the neck is not a chokehold. Wikipedia defines chokehold as having both arms engaged in a figure 4 configuration with one arm supplying choking force to the other. In a takedown of a person resisting arrest, arm around the neck used as a hold in a conflict situation is not prohibited by police departments including the New York City Police.
The media, including Fox, have headlined the “chokehold” terminology.
Did Garner die as a result of the pressure put by the police to his neck? Or was a severe asthmatic attack brought on by general exertion of the conflict and the emotions of the situation?
And are we certain that this man’s death was brought about as a result of prejudice or racism?