Members of New York's congressional delegation are asking the Justice Department to formally investigate the police custody death of Eric Garner and the law enforcement strategy known as "broken windows."
The six Democrats say black and Latino communities are disproportionately affected by the tactic of going after smaller crimes to help stop bigger ones.
An autopsy showed Garner died of neck compression from a chokehold used when he was being taken into custody for allegedly selling loose, untaxed cigarettes.
A letter sent Wednesday to Attorney General Eric Holder is signed by Reps. Hakeem Jeffries, Yvette Clarke, Gregory Meeks, Charles Rangel, Jose Serrano and Nydia Velazquez.
Garner's death has been the biggest test of Mayor de Blasio's first year in office.
He has vowed to support the department but also pledged to help communities of color who feel mistreated by police.
