NEW YORK, N.Y. — Black Lives Matter organizers called for protests across New York City following the acquittal of Daniel Penny, the Marine veteran charged in the death of Jordan Neely on a Manhattan subway. Despite the outcry, the large-scale demonstrations reminiscent of the George Floyd protests in 2020 have yet to materialize.
And it doesn’t look like anyone is listening anymore as many believe Penny is a hero that stopped a violent person from inflicting more harm on the city’s dangerous subway system.
Penny was acquitted today of all charges related to the chokehold death of Neely, a homeless man who witnesses say was acting erratically on the F train in May. His defense argued that Penny acted in self-defense and to protect others, while critics, including BLM leaders, have called the case a stark example of systemic injustice.
In the wake of the verdict, BLM chapters across the city issued urgent calls for action, demanding accountability and decrying what they see as a failure of the justice system. “Jordan Neely’s life mattered, and the system’s response is a reminder of the disparities we still face,” said a statement from a New York BLM organizer.
While a handful of small, peaceful gatherings have taken place in locations such as Union Square and outside the Brooklyn courthouse, they have lacked the numbers and intensity of prior protests.
By contrast, the 2020 protests over George Floyd’s death drew tens of thousands into the streets and led to significant unrest, including clashes with police and widespread property damage.
It remains unclear whether New York is bracing for a resurgence of protests or if the moment represents a shift in the public’s engagement with the BLM movement. Police officials have stated they are monitoring the situation and preparing for potential demonstrations but emphasized that no large-scale disruptions have occurred thus far.
Observers are watching closely to see whether the movement will regain the momentum it had during the summer of 2020. Meanwhile, many New Yorkers are voicing concerns about the city’s ability to withstand the economic and social impact of renewed unrest should protests escalate.
