Director Spike Lee posted a video to social media earlier this week that combined footage of Eric Garner’s recent death and a scene from his 1989 film Do The Right Thing.
Radio Raheem, one of the film’s characters, dies while in the chokehold of an NYPD officer during the scene.
Similarly, Garner died after he and NYPD officers engaged in a scuffle, during which he was placed in a hold. Police were attempting to arrest the Long Island resident on suspicion of selling untaxed cigarettes.
The incident was caught on video by onlookers, and the asthmatic father of six can be heard telling police he can’t breathe moments before he appears unresponsive on the ground.
theGrio: Vigil held for Eric Garner
Lee posted a mashup of the powerful footage that resembles the scene of Radio Raheem’s death to his YouTube and Instagram accounts Monday.
He also posted a tribute to Garner on his Instagam with the caption, “Brother Eric Garner No Longer Breathes Courtesy Of Banned NYPD Chokehold. Rest In Power.”
The director posted this photo Wednesday:
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