A pregnant Brooklyn woman came forward to say an NYPD officer placed her in a chokehold for illegal grilling in front of her home. Photos released by advocacy group People Organizing and Working for Empowerment and Respect show seven-months-pregnant Rosan Miller struggling with an unidentified policeman who has his arm around her neck and torso. Her daughter can be seen in the background while she is being arrested.
The NYPD prohibits the use of chokeholds.
Officials said officers went to Miller’s home over the weekend to follow up on a domestic dispute with another resident when they encountered the family grilling on a sidewalk- a violation of the local law. When the family was confronted, a scuffle ensued between police, her husband and her brother that ended with all three being charged with various offenses.
Rosan Miller received a summons for disorderly conduct. Her brother John Miller was charged with harassment and obstruction of justice. Her husband Moses Miller was charged with resisting arrest and obstruction.
Former city councilman Charles Barron expressed his outrage by calling cops to complain and “expedite” the Millers’ release, he said. “She was grilling in front of her home, not committing any crime,” Barron said.
Many residents echo Barron’s sentiments due to the ongoing use of police activity involving the use of the chokehold. Eric Garner died last week after being placed in a chokehold while in police custody. Since then, civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton has been at the forefront to end the use of the chokehold.
“We cannot just depend — and this is important — on police policy to stop the choke hold. We need a federal precedent,” Sharpton said.
Photo credit: People Organizing and Working for Empowerment and Respect