A week after Jordan Neely’s death, New Yorkers continue to grapple with brutal killing of the homeless Michael Jackson impersonator who was choked out by a Marine riding the F train on May 1.
Those mourning the loss of Neely constructed a makeshift memorial at the entrance to the subway station where he lost his life. Broadway and East Houston Street on the Lower East Side was adorned with flowers, candles, signs, and messages of love drawn in chalk on May 7.
However, while the signs and flowers had been removed come Monday morning, the notes written in chalk reading “Jordan Neely #RidingwhileBlack” and “RIP Jordan Neely” remained as straphangers came and went.
Talking with amNewYork Metro during their morning commute, New Yorkers spoke up regarding their feelings on the now viral killing.
Lex Beckman says she was left shocked by the video that has circulated online and says she is surprised other riders did not intervene.
“It just kind of just shows that racism is still everywhere. I was very surprised that the community didn’t interfere or do anything. I mean, like, we all see street performers all the time,” Beckman said. “To be yelling about food, you know, not doing anything like harassing anybody, not causing problems, just crying out for help.”
Beckman also added that she feels disgusted that Neely’s killer has yet to be charged and is currently walking free.
“That’s ridiculous. That is absolutely ridiculous. And the mayor is not doing shit. So, it’s just like all around,very frustrating. And we keep seeing this happen over and over again. And it takes the public to have these big protests and all this stuff, and then I even saw people got arrested at the protests, which is just so frustrating,” Beckman added.
Not everybody feels the same way.
Simon Bonder charges that while he admits the man — identified as Daniel Penny, who allegedly placed Neely in the chokehold — should have gone about things differently, he also…
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