By Nicole Silverio
Black Lives Matter (BLM) leader Hawk Newsome called for “black vigilantes” to descend into major cities Monday to retaliate against 26-year-old former Marine Daniel Penny’s acquittal over the death of Jordan Neely.
A Manhattan jury found Penny not guilty of criminally negligent homicide after he held 30-year-old homeless man Jordan Neely in a chokehold to protect surrounding passengers on a New York City subway train in May 2023. Newsome called on “black vigilantes” to avenge Neely’s death and fight against white people who allegedly want to “choke” and “kill” black people for “being loud.”
“Like everybody else has vigilantes, we need some black vigilantes,” Newsome said. “People want to jump up and choke us and kill us for being loud, how about we do the same when they attempt to oppress us? I’m tired. I know you’re looking for us to be like ‘oh, go and march. Go and march.’ No, this weekend, I want you to hold a community event, everywhere from the Bronx, to Houston, to Seattle, to Florida. Black people hold community events and talk about what you need.”
Passengers who witnessed the incident said Neely behaved in an erratic and threatening manner by screaming at commuters, throwing his jacket on the ground and saying that he did not care if he went to jail. At trial, jurors heard testimony that Neely said “I’ll hurt everyone here! I’ll kill you! I don’t care if I go to prison!”
Penny then came up from behind Neely and held him in the chokehold for about 6 minutes, where Neely eventually lost consciousness and was pronounced dead. (RELATED: ‘Most Surprised Person In That Room’: Jonathan Turley Says Penny Acquittal Not What Bragg ‘Planned’ From Trial)
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg charged Penny after a medical examiner ruled Neely’s death a homicide in May 2023. The manslaughter charge, which was dismissed prior to the jury’s verdict, came with a potential 15-year prison sentence, while the negligent homicide charge comes with a maximum four-year sentence.
Former federal prosecutor Andy McCarthy said during a Monday Fox News segment that the jury was in a “deadlock” likely due to many jurors buying into Bragg’s alleged “racialized” narrative of the incident.
Protesters supporting Neely gathered outside the courtroom prior to and following the verdict, chanting “no justice, no peace” and warning that the public “will hear [them] tonight.”
