US rights activist Rev Al Sharpton rallied supporters against police brutality in New York at the weekend following the death of an African-American man.

Having broken up a fight on Thursday which initially drew police to the scene Eric Garner was arrested, allegedly for selling untaxed cigarettes, and died after being placed in a chokehold by an NYPD officer.

A video emerged of the struggle, in which Mr Garner was repeatedly heard saying “I can’t breathe” while at least five police officers subdued him.

Standing with Mr Garner’s family at his National Action Network headquarters in Harlem, Rev Sharpton said the incident was part of a recurring pattern of police brutality.

“This is going to be a real test to see where policies are in the city now and whether the change we feel has occurred, has occurred.”

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has vowed to launch a “full, thorough, transparent investigation.

“It is very troubling,” he said. “But that being said, we can’t pass ultimate judgement based on one video.”