(CNN) -- Michael Jordan once summed up his social and political activism in four simple words: "Republicans buy sneakers, too." 

In a world where athletes and celebrities seem more willing to attach their names to high-priced sneakers and headphones than real-world issues, many are thrusting themselves directly into an uncomfortable national debate over police brutality and racial injustice. 

It's not only people with prominent names; there are medical students, congressional staffers, a university president and even a Northern California police chief. 

A spate of controversial police slayings of unarmed black men served as the catalyst. 

But the case of Eric Garner, a New York grandfather who was put in a fatal chokehold by a police officer trying to arrest him for selling cigarettes illegally, has resonated with whites and nonwhites alike. 

Commentators across the political spectrum have united to condemn last week's decision by a grand jury not to indict white New York Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo in Garner's death, which was captured on a video seen around the globe. According to Pantaleo's lawyer, the officer says he didn't use a chokehold on Garner. 

The outpouring started in earnest one week before the New York decision, with the long-awaited announcement of a grand jury's decision not to indict Ferguson, Missouri, Police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of unarmed teen Michael Brown. That decision was met with violent demonstrations in Ferguson and largely peaceful protests throughout the nation. 

On November 3, five St. Louis Rams players infuriated some people with a silent message before a game against the Oakland Raiders. Stedman Bailey, Tavon Austin, Jared Cook, Chris Givens and Kenny Britt walked onto the field and raised their palms in the air, demonstrating the "hands up, don't shoot" gesture protesters in Ferguson had been using for months. 
On what date did a football team protest by raising their palms?
Which team participated?
Was it the entire team?
How many members?
What were their names?
What did their gesture represent?
Where did that gesture originate?
Who died in Ferguson, Missouri to initiate protests?
Who was he shot by?
What profession did Darren Wilson have?
Was Michael Brown armed?
How old was he?
Who died as a result of a fatal chokehold?
Who placed him in the hold/
Why was Garner being arrested?
Was that officer convicted?
What was that officer's name?
Was there a video of the incident?
Was Michael Brown's killer convicted?
What race were both victims?
Were either of them armed?
November 3
On November 3
the St. Louis Rams
five St. Louis Rams player
no
five St. Louis Rams players
five
five St. Louis Rams players
Stedman Bailey, Tavon Austin, Jared Cook, Chris Givens and Kenny Britt
 Stedman Bailey, Tavon Austin, Jared Cook, Chris Givens and Kenny Britt 
"hands up, don't shoot"
 demonstrating the "hands up, don't shoot"
Ferguson
protesters in Ferguson
Michael Brown
 shooting death of unarmed teen Michael Brown
Darren Wilson
Police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of unarmed teen Michael Brown
Police Officer
Police Officer Darren Wilson
unarmed
unarmed teen Michael Brown
a teen
unarmed teen Michael Brown
Eric Garner
 Eric Garner, a New York grandfather who was put in a fatal chokehold 
a police officer
by a police officer
for selling cigarettes illegally
 trying to arrest him for selling cigarettes illegally
no
not to indict white New York Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo in Garner's deat
Daniel Pantaleo
ew York Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo
yes
 which was captured on a video seen around the globe.
no
 long-awaited announcement of a grand jury's decision not to indict Ferguson, Missouri, Police Officer Darren Wilson 
black
 unarmed black men
no
unarmed black men