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Protesters wear 'I can breathe' shirts at pro-NYPD rally

There is no evidence thus far the protesters were from the NYPD.

By Thor Benson
A demonstrator wears an I Can Breathe" shirt near City Hall in lower Manhattan over 2 weeks after a decision by a grand jury not to indict an NYPD officer involved in the apparent chokehold death of Eric Garner in New York City on December 19, 2014. Demonstrators gathered at City Hall in support of the NYPD Friday evening, but they were met right away with a rival demonstration by critics of police policies. Garner, a 43 year old father of six, died in July after police officers attempted to arrest him for allegedly selling loose, untaxed cigarettes in the Tompkinsville section of Staten Island. UPI/John Angelillo
1 of 15 | A demonstrator wears an I Can Breathe" shirt near City Hall in lower Manhattan over 2 weeks after a decision by a grand jury not to indict an NYPD officer involved in the apparent chokehold death of Eric Garner in New York City on December 19, 2014. Demonstrators gathered at City Hall in support of the NYPD Friday evening, but they were met right away with a rival demonstration by critics of police policies. Garner, a 43 year old father of six, died in July after police officers attempted to arrest him for allegedly selling loose, untaxed cigarettes in the Tompkinsville section of Staten Island. UPI/John Angelillo | License Photo

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- After the popularization of the "I can't breath" shirts and signs, pro-NYPD protesters are now displaying "I can breath" shirts.

"I can't breathe" is said to be Eric Garner's last words, the 43-year-old black man who died after NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo grabbed him around his neck and brought him to the ground. Activists have used the phrase on signs and shirts during protests, and shirts featuring the phrase have even been worn publicly by famous athletes like Lebron James.

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A small crowd of roughly 100 people gathered in support of the NYPD on Friday and wore the "I can breath" shirts, some displaying signs explaining police risk their lives to protect the city and that they believe they should be respected.

Roughly 200 other activists arrived to protest police brutality, displaying the familiar "black lives matter" and "I can't breathe" signs and shirts.

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