Left-wing activists jumped on the subway tracks in New York City over the weekend, temporarily bringing a part of the subway system to a halt, as they clashed with police over the death of Jordan Neely this week.
The New York Post reported that at least seven people were arrested during the mayhem at the Lexington Avenue and 63rd Street subway stop on the Upper East Side.
The attacks by the leftists on officers from the New York City Police Department happened despite the fact that Neely’s death had nothing to do with law enforcement.
Photojournalist Rebecca Brannon posted several videos on Twitter of the events that followed Saturday afternoon:
This woman/man in green is one of the approximately dozen that were were arrested for protesting / demanding justice for Jordan Neely.
He/she repeatedly shouts into NYPD cop’s face:
“Your officers take black lives!” pic.twitter.com/TyPJ2TlkAp
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) May 7, 2023
NPYD Police wrestle with another protester who resists arrest and is taken down on the ground and cuffed. pic.twitter.com/WoTgohS2hu
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) May 6, 2023
Female protester prevents subway doors from closing and clashes with female police officer as other protesters clash with NYPD #JordanNeely pic.twitter.com/ux43B5skcw
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) May 6, 2023
One of many arrests made as tensions escalated in the NYC subway and protesters disrupted the rides. #JordanNeely pic.twitter.com/ZXmMoveTBD
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) May 6, 2023
Breaking: Protesters are now disrupting the subway in NYC for Jordan Neely pic.twitter.com/NSO5UjAs7x
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) May 6, 2023
Two majors arrests were just made as protesters continue to clash with NYPD.
One protester claims he can’t breathe.
The other is carried away in cuffs.#JordanNeely pic.twitter.com/jdqMYcHxtL
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) May 6, 2023
A NYPD officer has been injured after being pushed in a clash w/ protesters – I’m told he may have a broken leg.
I’m not sure if it can be heard in the audio but protesters shout “I hope you die!” pic.twitter.com/q6XTHQG4DD
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) May 6, 2023
Neely died after Daniel Penny, a 24-year-old college student and U.S. Marine Corps. veteran, subdued Neely with the help of at least one other passenger after Neely reportedly embarked on an aggressive rant in the subway on Monday afternoon, moving erratically and allegedly screaming that he did not care if he went to jail.
Manhattan prosecutors and detectives met to evaluate whether the case should be presented to a grand jury to determine if charges should be introduced, according to a report from the New York Daily News. One police source told the outlet that five passengers contacted 911 before and during the altercation. Callers reported that Neely was issuing threats, as well as “harassing people” and “attacking people,” and said that Penny was restraining him until police officers could arrive. Another caller claimed that Neely had a “knife or gun,” although officers did not find any weapons on Neely.
The New York City medical examiner confirmed on Wednesday that Neely died from a “chokehold” and ruled the incident a “homicide,” although that does not necessarily mean that a crime was committed.
Penny’s attorney’s released a statement Friday afternoon, saying that Penny “was involved in a tragic incident on the NYC Subway, which ended in the death of Jordan Neely.”
The statement, released by the law firm of Raiser and Kenniff, P.C., continued:
We would first like to express, on behalf of Daniel Penny, our condolences to those close to Mr. Neely. Mr. Neely had a documented history of violent and erratic behavior, the apparent result of ongoing and untreated mental illness. When Mr. Neely began aggressively threatening Daniel Penny and the other passengers, Daniel, with the help of others, acted to protect themselves, until help arrived. Daniel never intended to harm Mr. Neely and could not have foreseen his untimely death.
For too long, those suffering from mental illness have been treated with indifference. We hope that out of this awful tragedy will come a new commitment by our elected officials to address the mental health crisis on our streets and subways.
Neely, 30, had been arrested a staggering 42 times over the past decade by the New York Police Department.
The New York Daily News reported that Neely was most recently arrested in November 2021 on felony assault charges after being accused of “slugging a 67-year-old female stranger in the face.” The woman reportedly had serious injuries from the attack and Neely was jailed for over a year.
Ben Zeisloft contributed to this report.