Hundreds of protesters gathered in New York on Friday to demand charges be brought against a former US Marine who put another subway passenger in a chokehold that killed him, sparking outrage over a lack of support from the city for people with mental illness and. homelessness.
Protesters held signs reading “Justice for Jordan” and “Poverty is not a crime” during a demonstration in Washington Square Park in lower Manhattan Friday night.
Earlier, the Communist Youth League of New York protested in front of the Manhattan district attorney’s office, calling for the conviction of the unidentified man who killed Neely, 30, on Monday. The protesters also demanded an investigation from the police who, according to local media, said he was allowed to leave after being questioned.
The ex-Marine, who put Neely in a chokehold as he boarded an F train, was never charged. Pressure on the neck.
An examiner’s judgment alone does not indicate intent or blame, which are things prosecutors will consider when deciding whether to pursue criminal charges.
Jordan Neely was lynched.
He had no food, water, or a safe place to rest. He had the audacity to shout openly about this colossal injustice, and they killed him. pic.twitter.com/LBSl1aMiQz
And[مدش].@employee
Local media said Nelly, who was black, was homeless. Local media reported that the 24-year-old former soldier, who is white, was questioned by police and released on Monday. Local protest organizers called the act a “mass killing” and an example of “white vigilance” against victims of colour.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said mental health issues played a role in the crash, but said he would refrain from commenting while the investigation continues.
A spate of attacks on rail commuters last year, especially Asian Americans, prompted Adams to increase police patrols and expand access to the mentally ill on the subway, citing rising rates of homelessness as a result of the pandemic.
A video of the incident circulating on social media showed an unidentified passenger choking a man identified as Nellie on the floor of a subway train for more than three minutes. Two other men are seen in the video handcuffing Nellie’s arms before he limp.
Reuters could not verify the authenticity of the video.
Famous for impersonating Michael Jackson, Neely dresses and dances like the legendary musical artist on packed New York trains and stations. The New York Times, citing police, reported that the confrontation occurred after he boarded the train and began yelling at the passengers, saying he was hungry and ready to die.
US Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whose district includes parts of the Bronx and Queens boroughs in New York, said Neely was murdered and called for his killer to be caught.
