Clashes in California during 'choke hold death' protest

The family of Eric Garner, an unarmed black man who died while being restrained in an American police officer's 'choke hold', have said the flood of public support they have received has been "awesome".

Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, said : "It is just so awesome to see how the crowds are out there.

"I was just so proud of that crowd, it just warmed my heart."

Garner's widow, Esaw Garner, added that when she saw demonstrators from her apartment window she told her son: "Look at all the love that your father's getting."

Police and protesters clashed in California last night as the public expressed anger over a court's decision not to indict a white police officer over the "choke hold" death of an unarmed black man.

Demonstrations turned violent as missiles were thrown at police and windows were smashed in Berkeley as residents reacted over Wednesday's grand jury decision not to take further action over the death of Eric Garner.

Garner's death sparked public outcry after he was captured on video gasping "I can't breathe" while he was being arrested for selling loose, untaxed cigarettes.

US citizens had protested peacefully in New York and Boston earlier this week but yesterday's demonstration became more heated and local media reported that tear gas and smoke bombs had to be used to disperse the crowd.

Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson has pleaded with activists to remember the lessons of previous iconic protests and engage in non-violence.

As a third night of protests in New York continued, he told ITV News: "Violence has a way of distorting the message. You can't fight bullets with bricks...we will see changes."

The rally comes after the deaths of two black men, Michael Brown, who was shot dead by a white officer, and Eric Garner, who died after being put in a "choke hold" by police.

US police have also come under fire for shooting dead black 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who was playing with a toy gun.

Next weekend thousands of protesters are set to march on The Mall in Washington to demand equality and change.

ITV's US correspondent Robert Moore has this report:

Read more: Black Americans see a legal system stacked against them

Demonstrators angry about the decision to clear the 'choke hold' police officer have reached Times Square in New York.

Police have arrested around 30 people during protests in New York City over a jury's decision to clear a white police officer who applied a chokehold to a black man which resulted in his death.

US attorney general Eric Holder said the Justice Department was launching a federal civil rights investigation into the death of Eric Garner, who was unarmed when police approached him.

It was the second grand jury in just over a week to decline to prosecute a white policeman in the death of an unarmed black man.

The mayor of New York has tonight pleaded for a peaceful reaction after a grand jury failed to charge a white police officer over the death of an unarmed black man.

The decision comes just a week after riots broke out when a similar ruling was made in St Loius.

ITV Washington Correspondent Robert Moore reports:

A US Grand Jury has decided not to charge a New York policeman over the death of Eric Garner, who died after being put into a 'choke hold' by the officer.

The sparked a nationwide furore after a video emerged showing Officer Daniel Pantaleo arresting Garner on 17 July this year for allegedly selling un-taxed cigarettes.

In the video, Mr Garner, 43, who was unarmed and had asthma, can be heard gasping for breath and saying 'I can't breathe' after being but into a choke hold when he reportedly refused to allow Officer Pantaleo to handcuff him.

Choke holds have been banned by NYPD official policy since 1993.