According to the ‘friend’ who videotaped it, the police were arresting Garner because he ‘broke up a fight’. I’m not sure who the fight was between. The ‘friend’ might be hiding some of the details of that fight. Anyway, the police get there at the end or after the fight. They attempt to place Garner under arrest because...
He was ‘involved’ in a fight (his friend kept repeating it out loud).
He was selling loosies.
He’s been arrested dozens of times for it.
The store owner/manager didn’t want him there.
I imagine any other participants in the fight were gone since no mention is made of their arrest, so Garner was left holding the bag, so to speak.
No matter “why” the police were arresting the guy...he taunted and resisted them.....and every person knows not to do that except for those who have no respect for authority. Obvious this guy didn’t....and usually those with a rap sheet like his don’t....that’s how they get a rap sheet to begin with...they break the law and resist arrest.