Will the Eric Garner case change things?

Michael Pearson, CNN

Updated 11:48 AM ET, Tue December 9, 2014

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, center, warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, December 9, in Los Angeles. The team wore "I Can't Breathe" shirts during warm-ups in support of the family of Eric Garner. Since a grand jury declined to indict a New York police officer in the death of Garner, demonstrators across the country have taken to the streets to express their outrage. Garner, a 43-year-old asthmatic, died in July after he was put in a chokehold by the officer, Daniel Pantaleo.
Photos: Protests after Eric Garner grand jury decision
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, center, warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, December 9, in Los Angeles. The team wore "I Can't Breathe" shirts during warm-ups in support of the family of Eric Garner. Since a grand jury declined to indict a New York police officer in the death of Garner, demonstrators across the country have taken to the streets to express their outrage. Garner, a 43-year-old asthmatic, died in July after he was put in a chokehold by the officer, Daniel Pantaleo.
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Protesters gather in front of the Barclays Center during an NBA game in New York on Monday, December 8.
Photos: Protests after Eric Garner grand jury decision
Protesters gather in front of the Barclays Center during an NBA game in New York on Monday, December 8.
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Police clash with demonstrators at the entrance of a Target near the Barclays Center on December 8.
Photos: Protests after Eric Garner grand jury decision
Police clash with demonstrators at the entrance of a Target near the Barclays Center on December 8.
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Seven-year-old Elijah Owens, left, stands by people participating in a "die-in" demonstration outside the Philadelphia Eagles' stadium in Philadelphia on Sunday, December 7.
Photos: Protests after Eric Garner grand jury decision
Seven-year-old Elijah Owens, left, stands by people participating in a "die-in" demonstration outside the Philadelphia Eagles' stadium in Philadelphia on Sunday, December 7.
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People protest in the streets of Chicago on December 7.
Photos: Protests after Eric Garner grand jury decision
People protest in the streets of Chicago on December 7.
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Demonstrators retreat in Berkeley, California, after police deploy tear gas during a <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/07/justice/protests-grand-jury-chokehold/index.html">protest that turned violent</a> before dawn on December 7.
Photos: Protests after Eric Garner grand jury decision
Demonstrators retreat in Berkeley, California, after police deploy tear gas during a protest that turned violent before dawn on December 7.
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A police officer in Berkeley clashes with a protester on December 7.
Photos: Protests after Eric Garner grand jury decision
A police officer in Berkeley clashes with a protester on December 7.
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A police officer raises a shotgun toward the crowd in Berkeley on Saturday, December 6.
Photos: Protests after Eric Garner grand jury decision
A police officer raises a shotgun toward the crowd in Berkeley on Saturday, December 6.
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People in Los Angeles lie down during a "die-in" on Hollywood Boulevard on December 6.
Photos: Protests after Eric Garner grand jury decision
People in Los Angeles lie down during a "die-in" on Hollywood Boulevard on December 6.
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Police stand guard as protesters participate in a "die-in" December 6 at Grand Central Station in New York.
Photos: Protests after Eric Garner grand jury decision
Police stand guard as protesters participate in a "die-in" December 6 at Grand Central Station in New York.
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Protesters shut down all eastbound and westbound lanes on Interstate 195, which links Miami Beach to the mainland, on Friday, December 5.
Photos: Protests after Eric Garner grand jury decision
Protesters shut down all eastbound and westbound lanes on Interstate 195, which links Miami Beach to the mainland, on Friday, December 5.
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Demonstrators march through the Loop in Chicago on December 5.
Photos: Protests after Eric Garner grand jury decision
Demonstrators march through the Loop in Chicago on December 5.
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Protesters block an intersection in downtown Washington on December 5.
Photos: Protests after Eric Garner grand jury decision
Protesters block an intersection in downtown Washington on December 5.
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Demonstrators march through a Macy's in Manhattan before staging a "die-in" at the iconic department store on December 5.
Photos: Protests after Eric Garner grand jury decision
Demonstrators march through a Macy's in Manhattan before staging a "die-in" at the iconic department store on December 5.
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Police make an arrest as protesters march through Manhattan early on December 5.
Photos: Protests after Eric Garner grand jury decision
Police make an arrest as protesters march through Manhattan early on December 5.
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Police officers form a line with demonstrations under way in Oakland, California, on Thursday, December 4.
Photos: Protests after Eric Garner grand jury decision
Police officers form a line with demonstrations under way in Oakland, California, on Thursday, December 4.
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A demonstrator gets arrested during a protest in New York on December 4.
Photos: Protests after Eric Garner grand jury decision
A demonstrator gets arrested during a protest in New York on December 4.
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Police detain a protester in New York on December 4.
Photos: Protests after Eric Garner grand jury decision
Police detain a protester in New York on December