Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Police Violently Repress Protesters while Jordan Neely’s Murderer Walks Free

On Monday, NYPD officers brutalized people gathered at a vigil for Jordan Neely, who was murdered last week in the subway by a vigilante.

Molly Rosenzweig

May 11, 2023
Facebook Twitter Share

On Monday night, people gathered for a candlelight vigil in New York City for Jordan Neely, an unhoused Black man and subway performer who was murdered last week on the F train. Neely was experiencing a mental health episode and was strangled by white vigilante and ex-Marine Daniel Penny. The NYPD responded with brutal violence and arrested more than ten people, including a prominent photojournalist and a man whom police slammed during arrest, causing a bloody face. The cops also targeted those doing jail support for the arrestees later that night. 

Similar police violence was wrought against protestors on Saturday. 13 people were arrested at a subway protest where protesters went onto the tracks and stopped trains for 20 minutes. A few days later, the NYPD released names and pictures of people they are trying to identify in order to apprehend them and charge them with “Crime of terrorism: tamper,” “unlawful interference with a train,” and trespassing. This, while Neely’s murderer continues to walk free.

As we can see, the police do not exist to keep us safe — they protect a murderer while brutally repressing and arresting those standing up against reactionary violence. These are the police that former NYPD officer Mayor Eric Adams wants to keep giving more and more money to while pushing for budget cuts in education and libraries, among other services. We are constantly told that we must vote for the “lesser-evil” Democrats, yet this is the violence that they oversee in Democrat-run cities across the United States.

Daniel Penny’s violence cannot be looked at in isolation. A big part of Eric Adams’s tenure in office has consisted of attacks on unhoused people. In December, he announced a plan for the police to forcibly remove people from public areas and involuntarily detain them due to mental health crises. Multiple violent sweeps of encampments have occurred under his watch, carried out by none other than the armed wing of the state, along with removing unhoused people from the subways. Despite this, Mayor Adams had the audacity to say that “Jordan Neely’s life mattered” and his death “never should have happened.”

Neely’s murder is also consistent with police repression throughout the country to prevent a resurgence of the Back Lives Matter movement like in 2020. We saw extreme repression in Atlanta against the Cop City protests, including the brutal police murder of Tortuguita, a land defender. In Memphis, we saw concessions to keep protesters at bay in the wake of the police murder of Tyre Nichols

Housing, food, and healthcare, including mental healthcare, are human rights and we must fight against the capitalist system that ensures profits for a few while many are houseless, while houses sit empty for rich landlords and developers to speculate on as housing costs keep increasing. We must fight against the racist and violent police, who exist to uphold capitalism and protect private property. Our private, for-profit healthcare system ensures that those who need adequate care the most are unable to get it. Justice for Jordan Neely!

Facebook Twitter Share

United States

Dr. Ghazal Moayedi (OB/GYN) holding a newborn baby. Her speech was cancelled at Montefiore Medical Center following a pro-Palestine social media post.

Montefiore Cancels OBGYN Grand Rounds Speaker over Pro-Palestine Social Media Post

Montefiore Medical Center in New York canceled the presentation of Dr. Ghazal Moayedi (OB/GYN) over a social media post in support of Palestine. Meanwhile, there is an unfolding reproductive, maternal, and infant health crisis in Gaza that the institution is ignoring amid a genocidal campaign against Palestinians.

Blanca Capetillo

November 10, 2023
A crowd of activists holding signs with slogans like "Palestine Will Be Free" and "Defend Gaza Against Israeli Terror" gather in front of the NY Public Library

NYC School Walkouts Show How Students Are Leading the Movement for Palestine 

Students led hundreds of school walkouts in NYC converging into a rally in Bryant Park which was attended by thousands of pro-Palestine activists. These walkouts show the importance of young activists leading an anti-imperialist movement and the need for workers to join in solidarity.

Sam Carliner

November 9, 2023

The Bipartisan War on Migrants: Interview with Todd Miller

Investigative journalist and border policy expert Todd Miller spoke with Left Voice about bipartisan support for border militarization and its place in the larger framework of U.S. imperialism.

Sam Carliner

November 9, 2023
Protesters wave a Palestinian flag in the foreground while blocking a ship in the background

Protesters in Oakland Blocked Ship Carrying Weapons for Israel

On Friday, protestors at the port of Oakland prevented a ship carrying military weapons to the murderous state of Israel from leaving for hours.

MOST RECENT

Protesters outside the NYT headquarters in New York, holding a sign that reads "The New York Crimes."

The Israeli Government’s War Aims: The New York Times versus Israeli Officials’ Own Words

U.S. capitalist media, including the foremost liberal platforms, assert that Israel has been waging war in Gaza for self defense. But Israeli officials have said otherwise.

Daniel Werst

November 10, 2023

Open Letter to Palestinian Healthcare Workers from NYC Healthcare Workers

A healthcare worker in New York City shared an open letter to Palestinian Healthcare Workers at last Friday’s rally by Healthcare Workers for Palestine in City Hall Park. Here we reproduce that open letter.

Cindy Samantha

November 8, 2023

Speech by Hezbollah’s Leader: Behind the Threats, There is Fear of Escalation 

Hezbollah’s leader spoke for the first time since the start of the Israeli offensive against Gaza. Behind his warlike tone addressed to the United States and Israel, his speech seemed to confirm that Hezbollah, an ally of Iran, fears a regional escalation.

Julien Anchaing

November 8, 2023

Tens of Thousands Flood Washington DC to Support Palestine

Perhaps the largest pro-Palestinian protest in U.S history, today’s rally is a sign that the movement for the liberation of the Palestinian people is rapidly growing.

Sam Carliner

November 4, 2023