New Yorkers angry about the death of Eric Garner plan to hand out loose cigarettes in exchange for donations Saturday afternoon in Times Square.

Garner died in July following a confrontation with New York City Police Department officers who suspected him of selling individual, untaxed cigarettes.

A grand jury evaluating Garner's death declined on Dec. 3 to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo, sparking large protests across New York City and throughout the U.S.



The Manhattan Libertarian Party is organizing the Saturday protest and plans to give donations to Project Hospitality, a food bank in the Staten Island borough of New York City.

In a press statement, party chairman Brian Waddell said members are “fed up with the silly laws that make it possible for these terrible tragedies to happen.”

NYC Smoke-Free and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids – two leading advocates for policies that discourage smoking – declined to comment on the planned protest.



The NYPD press office did not immediately offer comment, but said it’s researching the legality of handing out loose cigarettes for donations.

Photos: Country Protests Eric Garner Decision View All 43 Images

The sale of “loosies” boomed as state and city taxes soared in New York and New York City. Often, street-vending entrepreneurs purchase less-expensive cigarettes in neighboring states to sell in the city.