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Booker praises protesters who interrupted debate by chanting ‘fire Pantaleo’

by Justin Wise - 07/31/19 9:08 PM ET

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on Wednesday praised the protesters who interrupted his opening remarks with calls for firing the New York police officer involved in the death Eric Garner.

Booker and fellow presidential candidate New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio were met with chants of “Fire Pantaleo” as they delivered their opening remarks in Detroit during the second round of debates.

The chant was a reference to New York police officer Daniel Pantaleo, who was involved in the choking death of Garner while attempting to arrest him for selling untaxed cigarettes.

The chants forced the New Jersey senator to pause while delivering his opening remarks.

“To the folks who were standing up to Mayor de Blasio a few minutes ago—good for you,” Booker’s official Twitter account tweeted during the second round of the 2020 Democratic primary debates. “That’s how change is made. #DemDebate“

To the folks who were standing up to Mayor de Blasio a few minutes ago—good for you. That’s how change is made. #DemDebate https://t.co/zix0UzmZFa

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) August 1, 2019

Garner’s 2014 death was one of many fatal incidents that sparked the Black Lives Matter movement. Booker and other White House hopefuls have consistently spoken about problems associated with race and law enforcement.

The Justice Department announced earlier this month that it would not charge Pantaleo for Garner’s death.

“This decision is wrong, unjust and painful reminder of just how broken our criminal justice system is,” Booker said on Twitter following the Justice Department’s decision. “Eric Garner should be alive today. I pray his loved ones can find peace.”

Tags 2020 Democratic debate Bill de Blasio Cory Booker Detroit Justice Department New York New York City protesters