Rally marks anniversary of Eric Garner grand jury declining to indict NYPD officer

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Protesters went to Gracie Mansion Thursday calling for the firing of an NYPD officer in the death of Eric Garner.

It marked one year since a grand jury decided not to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo.

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton says he is waiting for federal prosecutors to consider possible civil rights charges against Pantaleo before he will decide whether to bring departmental charges against the officer.

Other marches are also expected.

Garner died a year ago during an arrest on Staten Island. Cell phone video shows Pantaleo putting Garner in an apparent chokehold. A medical examiner found the chokehold contributed to Garner's death. The officer denies using a chokehold.

A lower-court judge declined in March to release the testimony following Garner's death, citing longstanding principles of grand jury secrecy. The court said there was no compelling need for disclosure of the grand jury transcripts. In July, a New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division court also denied a request to release the transcripts in the case.

Ex-Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan had argued against releasing the information. He noted grand jurors and witnesses expect confidentiality. City Public Advocate Letitia James and legal groups have said they'll keep fighting to make the information public.

(Some information from the Associated Press.)