FYI.

This story is over 5 years old.

News

Indiana Cop Asked to Stop Selling 'Breathe Easy, Don't Break the Law' Shirts

Jason Barthel has insisted that the shirts are not a response to the Eric Garner 'I can't breathe' protest slogan
Photo by Frank Franklin II/AP

VICE News is closely watching policing in America. Check out the Officer Involved blog here.

An Indiana police corporal has been asked by local council members to stop selling t-shirts with the slogan "Breathe Easy, Don't Break The Law" emblazoned on them. Three council members in South Bend, Indiana have called the t-shirt's message "divisive."

The shirts have been read as a direct response to the "I can't breathe" t-shirts donned in recent weeks by a number of sports stars, among others. The shirt quotes the final words of Eric Garner, the Staten Island man who died after being placed in a chokehold by a New York police officer in July.

Jason Barthel, the Indiana cop who was selling the shirts from a store he owns, has denied that the slogan has anything to do with Garner and the mass protests which have followed the non-indictment on December 5 of the officer involved in his death.

"For those upset, please understand when we use the slogan 'breathe easy' we are referring to knowing the police are there for you!" Barthel wrote on Facebook. "We are all one people and this is by no means is a slam on Eric Garner or his family, God rest his soul. Lets all band together as AMERICANS regardless of our feelings and know we can and will be better! Thank you for your support."

"I can't breathe" has become a slogan and chant nationwide during the ongoing mass protests against police violence. During a Cleveland Cavalier's warm up in early December, NBA star Lebron James donned a shirt displaying the slogan. A number of the Notre Dame women's basketball team also wore the shirts ahead of a game last weekend.