From NYC to Dallas: Protests Spread Across Country Over Police Killing of Eric Garner

NEW YORK (TheBlaze/AP) -- Protests over a grand jury’s decision not to indict the police officer responsible for the chokehold death of Eric Garner in New York City continued across the United States on Thursday.

Demonstrators protested for a second night in New York and turned out in such cities as Denver, Detroit and Minneapolis. And politicians and others talked about the need for better police training, body cameras and changes in the grand jury process to restore faith in the legal system.

It was reported on Thursday that protesters essentially shut down the Brooklyn Bridge at one point.

Protesters take over NYC's Brooklyn Bridge, chant, “Bridge is closed, turn around!” - @AyanaHarry pic.twitter.com/EXDeK3TidY

— TheBlazeNOW (@TheBlazeNOW) December 5, 2014

Protests shut down Brooklyn bridge boulevard #ericgarner #icantbreathe #nyc pic.twitter.com/Wc0ZJ37Lzr

— Justin Astafanous (@Jastafanous) December 5, 2014

NYC: Canal Street is 100% shut down #ericgarner (WATCH) https://t.co/BjXJswJqBu - @mcgregormt

— Nancy Hennen (@tweetbrk) December 5, 2014

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In Atlanta, demonstrators gathered in downtown Atlanta, roughly 100 turning out near the Five Points MARTA train station.

In Chicago, hundreds blocked Lake Shore Drive along Lake Michigan. Protesters were thwarted in their efforts to march to Soldier Field, where a Bears-Cowboys football game was scheduled. They reversed course and at the city's Dan Ryan Expressway, about two dozen demonstrators darted onto the road and briefly blocked five lanes.

Protesters in Detroit laid down on the ground for a "die-in" at the city's Campus Martius at midday as temperatures hovered around freezing.

In Denver, students from at least four high schools joined in protest. Students from Abraham Lincoln High School left class and walked about 6 miles to the Capitol, snarling traffic. Buses were sent to pick up the students after the protest.

Demonstrators in Minneapolis also marched, decrying police treatment of minorities and stopping traffic for several hours on Interstate 35W near downtown before rallying at City Hall. Some protesters were fast-food workers demanding higher wages and union rights.

This story has been updated.