Mario Gonzales was a devoted father of a 4-year-old boy at the time of his death. He was also the sole caregiver of his mother and his adult brother who has autism. He was known by his family and many in his community as gentle and respectful. ​

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Mario was killed by police in Alameda, CA in 2021. Despite video evidence, criticism from legal experts, and calls for federal investigations, charges against the three police officers involved were dropped in 2024. Notably, Mario was killed in a very similar way to George Floyd, being pinned to the ground by police, unable to breathe. His cause of death was listed as "medical emergency."

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