Justice for Jordan Neely: Friend Remembers Dancer as "Gentleman" as Calls Grow for Killer's Arrest

[Uncle Joe]

Eleven people were arrested at a protest in New York on Monday demanding justice for Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old unhoused Black man who was choked to death on a subway car last week by another passenger. Neely was well known as a dancer and Michael Jackson impersonator. He was crying out that he was hungry, when he was fatally attacked on the train by a 24-year-old former marine named Daniel Penny, who was questioned by police but released without charges. The city medical examiner has ruled Neely’s death a homicide. The subway killing comes as New York is facing a growing population of unhoused people who lack the support they need, with many facing a mental health crisis. “What we need to see is not a mobilization of violence, but a mobilization of care,” says Jawanza Williams, director of organizing at the community group VOCAL-New York. We also speak with musician Lorenzo Laroc, who knew Neely for decades as a fellow busker in the New York subway system. “He gave freely to the city of New York and brought nothing but joy to this town for decades,” says Laroc, calling Neely a “gentleman” and a “consummate professional.”

[taxi]

1. Jordan Nelly, what consequences should be for Daniel Penny - regardless of arrested or not

Daniel Penny as a US Marine had an introduction into physical and combat conditioning, martial arts, academic instruction, and basic warrior training. Prior to leaving Marine Corps Recruit Training final physical and academic examinations, guided leadership discussions, and standardized requirements were necessary. Penny successfully completed the basic requirements and went on to serve in the Marine Corps. Which brings up the use of the deadly choke hold that ended the life of Jordan Neely.

Rather than going into a briar patch debating the actions up to and including using the choke hold, let’s look forward. The Marine Corps taught Penny that the use of a deadly choke hold could kill. There should be no doubt of this, but Penny proceeded in administering the hold anyway. Perhaps going forward he will never again use a choke hold. But will he drive a car? Will he work with knives? Will he ever in his life have in his possession or control any instrument that when improperly used can be harmful? James Fields Jr used his car to attack and kill in Charlottesville, Rittenhouse, McVeigh, Tucker Carlson’s bloodthirst, the list doesn’t end.

Regardless of whether Penny is charged or not, he cannot be allowed to drive, operate machinery, or be in any position that poses a risk to society. And that goes for all the others just like him.