by David Cruz 

The Bronx News Roundup is back, featuring news from in and around the Bronx. 

Bronx media are honoring the passing of Herman Badillo, a pioneer legislator who died Dec. 3 at the age of 85. Badillo, born in Puerto Rico, paved the way for other Hispanic legislators to consider public office in the United States. He served as a U.S. Congressman after serving as the Bronx’s first Puerto Rican borough president while his trailblazing efforts ushered in a new wave of Hispanic politicians in the Bronx.

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., mourned Badillo’s death, calling Badillo “the epitome of a passionate leader who truly cared for his community.”

An in-depth obituary with nostalgic photos can be found in The New York Times.

On Dec. 4, the decision of a Staten Island grand jury not to pursue criminal charges against an officer who applied a lethal chokehold on Eric Garner was felt in the Bronx. The Bronx Democratic Caucus did not take the news well.

Their full statements can be read below:

“I am incredibly saddened and shocked that a grand jury on Staten Island has failed to indict Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner.  The system is broken. Officer Pantaleo’s deadly encounter was caught clearly on videotape, and yet Eric Garner and his family will not know the justice of a jury trial. This is a travesty. I hope that a federal investigation will be forthcoming. My thoughts and prayers are with the Garner family, and I wish them peace in their most difficult hour. This is why we protest: to fight injustice. Whether Amadou Diallo or Eric Bell or now Eric Garner, we protest to stand up against a justice system that so often seems to fail men and women of color. We can no longer allow that to stand…”–Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. 

“Once again the wheels of justice seemly have ground to a complete halt, Eric Garner’s death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner, we have video of the homicide, the video clearly shows the person responsible for the homicide and yet the Staten Island Grand jury could not discern that enough evidence existed to bring an indictment against Police officer Daniel Pantaleo.”–Councilman Fernando Cabrera

“The decision by the grand jury to not indict in the case of EricGarner is shocking, frustrating and, simply put, a grave injustice. I join our congressional delegation in asking the federal government to fully investigate the circumstances leading to Mr. Garner‘s tragic death and seriously look into potentially pursuing federal charges. I stand in solidarity with Mr. Garner‘s family, and advocates across our nation, in voicing the need for and working to reform our criminal justice system so that every New Yorker and American is truly treated equally under the law. #alllivesmatter”–Senator Gustavo Rivera 

“First, and most importantly, my heart goes out to Eric Garner’s family.  A life filled with great potential was lost. May Eric Garner rest in peace and may our actions moving forward remember him and not disrespect his legacy. It is absolutely unconscionable, unjust and indescribable that a Grand Jury decided that there wasn’t enough evidence to move forward with a trial despite an officer’s killing a man on videotape over loose cigarettes. How could you not indict a person who ends another mans life through an illegal chokehold? It is simply an affront to all matters of justice that one could say to the Garner family, to the people of this city and any person who is confronted in their everyday lives that you could have your life taken and those who did won’t even stand before a trial….”–Assemblyman-elect Michael Blake 

“The grand jury’s decision today not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the case of Eric Garner is a disconcerting. Despite the indisputable visual evidence available in this case, and a ruling by the Chief Medical Examiner that Eric Garner’s death was a homicide, our criminal justice system did not vote to indict on a single criminal charge. Last week, the grand jury’s decision in the Ferguson left us with a sense of injustice. Today’s decision just adds to the feeling of that our criminal justice system is failing minority victims and letting the perpetrators get away. My sympathies go out to Eric Garner’s family, loved ones, and entire community in this difficult moment.”–Congressman Jose Serrano 

“The men and women who serve in the New York Police Department have sworn to uphold and protect our communities. Most of them are heroes who work hard, and save lives. They serve admirably, and the few who do not should not tarnish the entire police force. I generally don’t question grand juries, but I have to say this doesn’t pass the smell test. There is going to be a lot of outrage about this, there is going to be a lot of people who rightfully feel that justice was not served. I hope that people who feel that way will be peaceful, not violent.”–Congressman Eliot Engel 

“No matter how painful and frustrating this moment may be, we have an opportunity to turn this tragedy into action and change. We must work to strengthen relations between law enforcement and communities of color. We need to listen to both sides, find ways to build trust, and ensure every American feels safe on our streets.”–Congressman Joseph Crowley

This rounds up the latest Bronx News Roundup. Be sure to check back next week for another installment.