The NYPD officers’ double-killing was condemned by the families of unarmed African Americans recently killed by police and the protest groups that have sprung up in response. On Sunday, Eric Garner’s mother, Gwen Carr, and his widow, Esaw Garner, said the killings have no connection to their cause.

Gwen Carr: “We are going in peace, and anyone who’s standing with us, we want you to not use Eric Garner’s name for violence, because we are not about that. These two police officers lost their lives senselessly, and our condolences to the families, and we stand with the families.”

Esaw Garner: “I just want to express my condolences and heartfelt sadness for these two officers and their family. I know what they’re going through to lose a loved one right before the holidays and everything. It’s so sad, and I would ask that everyone that is protesting with us, please protest in a nonviolent way. My husband was not a violent man, so we don’t want any violence connected to his name.”