I Can’t Breathe: how three words became a demand for justice and why it matters now

Three short words moved from a dying plea into a public command. The phrase “I can’t breathe” entered national attention in 2014 after Eric Garner was recorded saying those words while being restrained by police in New York. The phrase returned to the center of protest in 2020 after George Floyd’s killing. In both cases video turned private suffering into public witness and the words became a rallying cry for accountability.

Where the phrase began

Eric Garner’s recorded final minutes made the phrase visible. The footage exposed a pattern of force and restraint that organizers and advocates later used to demand policy change, better training, and independent oversight. When George Floyd repeated the phrase while pinned to a street in Minneapolis, the words gained new force and a worldwide audience.

Why names appear on the shirt

Printing names under the phrase moves the message from slogan to memorial. Names force attention back onto individuals instead of letting incidents dissolve into headlines. Memorial lists are not decorative. They are a record and a prompt to learn who these people were, and to ask why their deaths were avoidable.

Why social justice matters now

Civil rights protections and civic access are under pressure in multiple ways. Changes to voting rules, shifts in court decisions, and inconsistent public oversight of law enforcement make sustained civic engagement essential. Public memory, data collection, and organized action are how communities defend rights when institutions fail to protect them.

What wearing the shirt should do

Wearing a memorial shirt is not enough by itself. Let it be a reminder to act. Verify names before publishing them. Support local organizations doing direct work. Vote and help others access the ballot. Demand transparent, independent data about police practices so policy can be based on facts, not anecdotes.

This shirt is meant to make someone stop and read. Let it be the start of a conversation, not the end.