erica garner just had a heart attack, here’s how you can support and honor her

On Christmas Eve, Erica Garner, the 27 year old daughter of Eric Garner, was hospitalized after suffering an asthma induced heart attack. She remains in a coma as of this morning.

Erica Garner had given birth four months ago and learned she had heart problems during the pregnancy, her mother Esaw Snipes told the New York Times. The news of her hospitalization follows a report by NPR exploring how systematic racism leads to Black mothers in the U.S. dying at three to four times the rate of white mothers. Anti-Blackness truly is unrelenting and multi-faceted, and Erica Garner knew this better than most.

In 2014, Eric Garner was killed by police on camera after stating 11 times that he couldn’t breathe due to asthma-related complications, when placed in a choke-hold during his arrest for selling single cigarettes. The officers responsible were never indicted, setting off a wave of protests, many boldly led by the younger Garner.

Erica’s unapologetically Black-centered approach was distinctive and ruffled many feathers. With a Twitter bio reading, “TRIGGER WARNING!!! Eldest daughter of the late Eric Garner. Un bought Activist/Writer/Mother/ Daddy’s Girl,” she campaigned tirelessly against police violence, holding both liberals and conservatives accountable for their complicity. She challenged President Barack Obama and progressive New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio over policing matters, and campaigned on behalf of Senator Bernie Sanders in the 2016 presidential election.

A self-identified “worker” for Garner took over her Twitter account following her hospitalization, providing updates as they come. The latest news points to some shady moves by the NYPD, and the worker urges that supporters call Woodhull Hospital, where Garner is staying, to ensure her safety:

Here is an update on Erica … She is in Woodhull hospital. The police all of sudden rushed me not only out of her room where I was all night and have a pass to be they rushed me out of the icu with no explanation.

— officialERICA GARNER (@es_snipes) December 26, 2017

#NYPD cleared me out of the ICU leaving Erica BY HERSELF WITH NO EXPLANATION … We are at woodhull hospital. They are supposed to be bringing her out of her coma in less than an hour and the #NYPD cleared her support from the floor with no explanation.

— officialERICA GARNER (@es_snipes) December 26, 2017

I dont trust #NYPD … They are saying that they mixed up the list of people who had permission with the people who don’t. Until they figure it out all visits are dead. Problem is, I have been up there all night WITH AN OFFICIAL PASS FROM THE HOSPITAL!

— officialERICA GARNER (@es_snipes) December 26, 2017

don’t watch … call wood hull hospital in Brooklyn and ask them why the #NYPD is keeping out Erica Garners explicitly permitted visitors minutes before bringing her out of her coma?!?!?

— officialERICA GARNER (@es_snipes) December 26, 2017

The number for the hospital is 718-963-8791. You can also support the family financially with a donation to their GoFundMe campaign here.

*UPDATE 12:30 PM: Supporters are back with Erica in the ICU, so calls are no longer necessary:

They allowed me back into Ericas icu room… Thank you for all that called.

— officialERICA GARNER (@es_snipes) December 26, 2017