The “I can’t breathe” trademark application filed by a woman in Illinois, has angered many. A woman by the name of Catherine Crump has filed an application to trademark the sentence “I can’t breathe,” which were the last words spoken by Eric Garner as he was being put in a chokehold by a NYPD officer. The phrase has been used by protesters demanding justice for Garner and Mike Brown, who was killed in Ferguson, Missouri.
“I can’t breathe” trademark application filed by woman in Chicago, is very upsetting to many. On December 13th, a woman by the name of Catherine Crump, filed an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to register the sentence “I can’t breathe.”
“I can’t breathe” were the last words spoken by Eric Garner as he was being put in a chokehold and pinned to the floor by members of the New York Police Department in Staten Island for selling “loosies,” which are single cigarettes from packs to feed his six children.
As he fought with the cops, Garner repeated “I can’t breathe” 11 times before eventually passing out, and dying an hour after the incident.
The phrase has been used by protesters all over America during nighty rallies demanding justice for Garner and Mike Brown, an unarmed black teenager gunned down in Ferguson, Missouri.
The two officers involved in the deaths of Brown and Garner were not indicted by grand juries.
The Illinois woman plans to use the phrase on items such as hoodies and t-shirts for girls, boys, infants, men, and women. LeBrown James, Kobe Bryant and many other athletes have been spotted with “I can’t breathe” t-shirts that are being sold on the internet.
Catherine Crump claimed in her application that she has been using the phrase since August and wants to trademark it for commercial use. But when contacted by the media, Crump stated that she is not doing this for financial gain, but would not explain the reason why she filed the application.
She also said that she is not connected to Garner’s family and they are not aware of her actions. Three people have filed to trademark the phrase “Hands Up Don’t Shoot” – the sentence associated to Brown.
The woman’s “I can’t breathe” trademark attempt is being slammed by people who find her despicable and disgusting.
