Members of the Georgetown basketball team wear "I can't breathe" shirts as they stand for the national anthem before a home game Wednesday, December 10, in Washington. The shirt references the words spoken by Eric Garner, a 43-year-old man who died earlier this year after being put in a chokehold by a New York City police officer. After a grand jury decided not to bring criminal charges against the officer, demonstrators across the country <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F12%2F04%2Fus%2Fgallery%2Feric-garner-protests%2Findex.html" target="_blank">took to the streets</a> to express their outrage.
Athletes wearing 'I can't breathe' shirts —
Members of the Georgetown basketball team wear "I can't breathe" shirts as they stand for the national anthem before a home game Wednesday, December 10, in Washington. The shirt references the words spoken by Eric Garner, a 43-year-old man who died earlier this year after being put in a chokehold by a New York City police officer. After a grand jury decided not to bring criminal charges against the officer, demonstrators across the country took to the streets to express their outrage.
Nick Wass/AP
Portland Trail Blazers Wesley Matthews, left, and Dorell Wright wear the shirts while warming up for a game in Minneapolis on December 10.
Athletes wearing 'I can't breathe' shirts —
Portland Trail Blazers Wesley Matthews, left, and Dorell Wright wear the shirts while warming up for a game in Minneapolis on December 10.
Ann Heisenfelt/AP
Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers wear the shirts before a home game Tuesday, December 9.
Athletes wearing 'I can't breathe' shirts —
Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers wear the shirts before a home game Tuesday, December 9.
Jae C. Hong/AP
Wearing the shirts from left are Lakers Nick Young, Jordan Clarkson, Carlos Boozer, Wayne Ellington and Jeremy Lin.
Athletes wearing 'I can't breathe' shirts —
Wearing the shirts from left are Lakers Nick Young, Jordan Clarkson, Carlos Boozer, Wayne Ellington and Jeremy Lin.
LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers wears the shirt in New York before playing the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, December 8.
Athletes wearing 'I can't breathe' shirts —
LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers wears the shirt in New York before playing the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, December 8.
Al Bello/Getty Images
San Diego Chargers linebacker Melvin Ingram shows his solidarity with Garner before playing New England on Sunday, December 7.
Athletes wearing 'I can't breathe' shirts —
San Diego Chargers linebacker Melvin Ingram shows his solidarity with Garner before playing New England on Sunday, December 7.
Denis Poroy/AP
Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush warms up before a home game on December 7.
Athletes wearing 'I can't breathe' shirts —
Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush warms up before a home game on December 7.
Rick Osentoski/AP
Cleveland Browns cornerback Johnson Bademosi shows his support for Garner before playing a game in Cleveland on December 7.
Athletes wearing 'I can't breathe' shirts —
Cleveland Browns cornerback Johnson Bademosi shows his support for Garner before playing a game in Cleveland on December 7.
Tony Dejak/AP
Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose was the first major athlete to wear the shirt, making headlines Saturday, December 6, in Chicago. "I could care less about who else weighs in on this," he said. "Usually athletes tend to stay away from this, but I just felt as if I had to do something."
Athletes wearing 'I can't breathe' shirts —
Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose was the first major athlete to wear the shirt, making headlines Saturday, December 6, in Chicago. "I could care less about who else weighs in on this," he said. "Usually athletes tend to stay away from this, but I just felt as if I had to do something."
Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/TNS/Landov