BLM Calls for ‘Black Vigilantes’ to Target Oppressors After Daniel Penny Verdict
A New York Black Lives Matter leader called on “Black vigilantes” to retaliate after Daniel Penny was acquitted in the subway chokehold trial on Monday.
Penny, a 26-year-old former Marine, was facing charges of second-degree manslaughter and negligent homicide. The manslaughter charge was dismissed on Friday after the jury declared it was deadlocked 20 hours into deliberations. The jury acquitted Penny on the negligent homicide charge on Monday.
Penny was accused of choking and killing 30-year-old Jordan Neely on a New York City subway in 2023. Neely, a well-known Michael Jackson impersonator, boarded the subway and reportedly began threatening people. Penny allegedly approached him from behind and placed him in a chokehold.
Neely was later pronounced dead at a hospital. His death was ruled a homicide by compression of the neck.
“We need some Black vigilantes,” New York BLM co-founder Hank Newsome said following the verdict. “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?”
Hawk Newsome, co-founder, Black Lives Matter-New York, speaks to media outside of the courthouse following proceedings in Daniel Penny’s trial, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in New York. Newsome called for “Black vigilantes” after Penny was acquitted on Monday.
AP Photo/Heather Khalifa
Newsome also encouraged Black people to hold community events to have open discussions about their needs.
The BLM leader told reporters on Friday that “racism is still alive and kicking in America.”
“Today, white supremacy got another victory. Today, the KKK [Ku Klux Klan], the Klansmen, the evil in America got another victory,” Newsome said on Friday.
Neely’s father Andre Zachary, who filed a lawsuit against Penny last week, criticized the verdict.
“I just want to say, I miss my son,” Zachary said. “My son didn’t have to go through this. I didn’t have to go through this either, it hurts.”
Zachary’s attorney, Donte Mills, said the family will get justice through its lawsuit.
“I promised this family justice – we are still going to do that,” Mills said. “The district attorney did a good job, but the jury in this case let us down.”
Jury selection in the trial began on October 21 and opening statements were delivered on November 1. Witnesses in the trial included individuals who were on the subway and witnessed the chokehold, Penny’s former martial arts instructor, the medical examiner who performed Neely’s autopsy and law enforcement.
Protesters gathered outside of the courthouse throughout the duration of the trial.
Penny was facing up to 19 years in prison if convicted on both charges.
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