New York Daily News

Her Twitter feed full of race hatred

- BY CHRIS SOMMERFELD­T

WITHIN MINUTES of Erica Garner’s death Saturday, the administra­tor of her Twitter account faced backlash over a post requesting that only black journalist­s reach out to the family.

“Out of respect to Erica please do not request comment if the journalist is not Black,”tweeted the account used by Garner, who became an anti-police brutality activist after the death of her dad, Eric Garner, who died in 2014 after being placed in a banned chokehold by NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo.

The tweet drew ire from some Twitter users, who called it “racist” and said it affronted Erica Garner’s legacy of unity and equality.

Reggie Harris, a friend of Erica’s from California who spent time at her hospital bedside after she suffered a massive heart attack last weekend, was identified earlier in the week by her relatives as the person operating her Twitter feed. He did not respond to requests for comment Saturday.

“Those who knew Erica call this post a disrespect to her and her legacy,” ABC anchor Bill Ritter tweeted about the “black journalist­s” only request.

Citing Ritter’s tweet, Garner’s account fired back a harshly worded response.

“Which one of those people were with her last night, this morning, the day before, which one of those people was with her on Christmas or did she call when she felt suicidal,” the reply read.

“Choke on an entire bag of d--s you disrespect­ful snowflake!”

Other Twitter users agreed with Ritter. “I’m so saddened by this tweet,” a Baltimore resident tweeted at the Garner account. “Is the objective to divide? If so, congratula­tions on your success.”

The Garner account continued to post and retweet messages throughout the day, including one targeting the mayor.

“De Blasio . . . explain how she died with no justice,” the account posted within minutes of a condolence message from Hizzoner saying, “This city will miss her unshakable sense of justice and passion for humanity.”

Twitter does not erase accounts of users who have died unless immediate family members provide administra­tors with an official death certificat­e. It’s unclear if Garner’s family intends to keep her account going or request that it be taken down.

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