Sharpton made the comments following a meeting with about 20 civil rights leaders Thursday morning at his National Action Network headquarters in Harlem.

Al Sharpton, "Grand jury systems on state level are broken" Will march on DC, Dec 13, caling on justice dept to act pic.twitter.com/YbJsGpmGSC

Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, called the grand jury’s decision “a travesty of justice.”

“Yesterday’s decision by the Staten Island grand jury defied common sense,” he said.

The Case

Garner, a 43-year-old father of six, died in July after police officers attempted to arrest him for allegedly selling loose, untaxed cigarettes in the Tompkinsville section of Staten Island.

In cellphone video of the incident, Pantaleo, who is white, is seen placing his arm around Garner’s neck in an apparent chokehold and then taking him to the ground after Garner refuses to be handcuffed.

Garner, who was black, is heard saying repeatedly, “I can’t breathe!” He died a short time later.

The New York City Medical Examiner’s office ruled Garner’s death a homicide, caused by the officer’s apparent chokehold as well as chest and neck compressions and prone positioning “during physical restraint by police.” Asthma, heart disease and obesity were also contributing factors.

More Rallies Planned Following Grand Jury Decision In Eric Garner

An independent forensic investigator hired by the Garner family also agreed with the medical examiner’s findings.

The grand jury began hearing evidence in the case on Sept. 29, which included testimony by Pantaleo.

Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donoval said the grand jury found “no reasonable cause” to bring charges against Pantaleo. Twelve of the 23 jurors needed to be in agreement for any charges to be filed.

Donovan added that he has applied for a court order to release specific information in the case to the public, required under state law. On Thursday, a judge released limited information on the grand jury proceedings.

WEB EXTRA: Read Judge’s Response To DA’s Information Request

Police union officials and Pantaleo’s lawyer said he used an authorized take down move and not a chokehold against Garner and said Garner’s poor health was a main cause in his death.

“He ended up using a take-down method the way was taught in the academy and when Mr. Garner was not compliant, then it became more complicated,” Pantaleo’s lawyer, Stuart London, said. “Although it may look one way, when explained properly, as my client did in front of the grand jury, you can see that although it looks like the arm is around the neck, there’s no pressure being applied at all.”

“It was just decision, a difficult decision we understand, but it was a just decision — why? Because it was based on the facts that were on the table. Not what was going on in the street or not what others may want it to be,” Patrick Lynch, president of Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, said Thursday.

Pantaleo released a statement Wednesday, saying: “I became a police officer to help people and to protect those who can’t protect themselves. It is never my intention to harm anyone and I feel very bad about the death of Mr. Garner. My family and I include him and his family in our prayers and I hope that they will accept my personal condolences for their loss.”