Friday, June 12, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signs into law a sweeping package of police accountability measures that received new backing following protests of George Floyd's killing. AP Photo: Office of New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

It's been almost six years since a New York City officer wrapped an arm around Eric Garner's neck, put him in a choke hold and pulled him to the ground. His repeated cries of "I can't breathe" transformed into a rally slogan against police brutality—an issue that has dominated national attention in recent weeks over the death of George Floyd.

Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, joined Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday as the Democrat greenlit a ban on police choke holds statewide and the repeal of a decades-old law used to shield police disciplinary records from the public.

"It was a long time coming, but it came. And thank you, thank you all very much," Carr said at the press conference while wearing a T-shirt with her son's image on it.

Those bills were part of a larger package of police reforms that sailed through the Legislature this week. Some of the measures had been around for years, but only saw a groundswell of momentum following outrage over Floyd's death. Following his death were nationwide protests over police brutality and the killing of black Americans by police.

"Eric Garner did not die in vain. Sean Bell did not die in vain," said Cuomo, who also approved a measure allowing civil lawsuits on frivolous 911 calls based on someone's race.

The bills signed Friday were only a portion of the reform measures passed by lawmakers and it's not immediately when or if the others will be approved by Cuomo.

State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, D-Bronx, said that Republicans have even voted for a portion of the reforms.

"Because I think the entire world has just said, 'Enough is enough is enough is enough,'" he said.

There's many other issues of systemic racism and injustice that people of color have to deal with, whether it's in education or health disparities, he said.

The law used to shield officers' disciplinary records was known as 50-a for its spot in New York's Civil Rights Law. Repeal supporters argued the provision protected officers with a history of misconduct from public accountability. Those protections had also been extended to firefighters and correction officers.

The legislation signed by Cuomo eliminates the law, but requires that certain information be redacted, such as officers' home addresses, cellphone numbers and medical history. It takes effect immediately. 

The legislation signed by Cuomo eliminates the secrecy law, but does require that certain information be redacted, such as officers' home addresses, cellphone numbers and medical history. It takes effect immediately.

Scott Karson, president of the New York State Bar Association, said in a statement that they applaud the reforms.

"Disclosing all records pertaining to police misconduct and discipline will help stem the tide of repeated and senseless incidents of police brutality that are all too frequently aimed at people of color and remain a scourge on our nation," he said in a statement.

The bill banning police choke holds makes aggravated strangulation by a police officer a class C felony under state law. The law signed Friday says the charge would apply when an officer uses a choke hold or "commits the crime of criminal obstruction of breathing," causing serious injury or death.

READ MORE:

NY Lawmakers OK Bill Establishing Office to Investigate Police Misconduct

In Wake of George Floyd's Death, Chief Judge DiFiore Calls for Review of NY Courts' Response to Institutional Racism Issues

NY Lawmakers Pledge to Pass Police Reforms Amid Anti-Police Brutality Protests