New York Black, Latino and Asian Caucus members rallied at City Hall today demanding a swift investigation into the tragic death of Eric Garner.

Garner died shortly after police used a chokehold during an arrest in Staten Island. The incident was captured on video. The medical examiner has yet to release the autopsy report.

"I'm frightened, I'm frightened and so are my constituents -- frightened that no one took pause to rethink their actions. Did they not hear what the whole world heard? The constrained cries of 'I can't breathe! I can't breathe!' Over and over and over until there wasn't any more. These images are etched in my mind, denying me peace of mind. And once again our communities mourn, our communities are in mourning not just for the death of Eric Garner, but also once again we are reminded of how little value our lives have," said Staten Island City Council member, Debbie Rose.

She added, "I will not rest until we have answers to the myriad of questions that have been repeated in my mind watching the video. We will not rest until justice is served. Why was a banned tactic used so reflexively particularly against an unarmed person? Why did officers and EMS workers stand idly by for seven minutes with an unresponsive person at their feet? What do the policies of the FDNY require in such circumstances? Why were only two NYPD officers placed on restricted duty when there were at least six involved in this incident?"

Rose said she was discussing these questions with the Police Commissioner Bratton, and the question will be probed further by the New York City Council in an upcoming fire and criminal justice hearing chaired by Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson.

City Councilmember Andy King, co-chair of BLA Caucus, said the ban of the chokehold as a police tactic came about in 1993 following the rising numbers of deaths of people in police custody over an eight year period.

"In the NYPD Patrol Guide 2013 .... use of force it states members of the new York city police force must not use chokeholds. A chokehold shall include but not limited to any pressure to the throat or windpipe to prevent or hinder breathing or reduce the intake of air. It also states whenever possible members should make every effort to avoid tactics such as sitting or standing on suspects chest, which might result in chest compression thereby reducing the subjects ability to breathe," said King.

Police said Garner, 43, of Staten Island, died of a heart attack as officers attempted to arrest him for the sale of untaxed cigarettes July 17. Garner was reportedly not selling cigarettes at the time, but had just broken up a fight on the same block, which was the reason police had been alerted. But a video of the incident shows an officer putting Garner in a chokehold from behind as other officers joined the fray. Garner could be heard gasping, "I can't breathe! I can't breathe!"

Mayor Bill de Blasio, who was joined by NYPD Commissioner Bratton at a press conference on Friday, said they will be conducting a full investigation with Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan.

But the BLA caucus wants a quick investigation and resolution, in several months, not several years, and this will be a referendum on the de Blasio Administration.

"Make no doubt about it, he was elected in large part from the black community and the Latino community precisely because of what they said how they would deal with the police community relations in the city of New York," said Brooklyn City Council member Jumaane Williams. "This is a defining moment for that administration -- this must be swift and actionable. There can be no human being that can look at that video and say nothing wrong occurred. There was criminality that occurred there and they must be held accountable from the EMS worker to the Sergeant that did not take command and control."

Tuesday night there was a vigil in Staten Island at the location of Eric Garner's death -- his family were to attend. Garner's viewing and funeral will be held in Brooklyn on Wednesday.