“Subway Violence: Civilians Step in for Justice While Fear and Insecurity Reigns”

It happened before the eyes of witnesses, frightened by constant attacks in the subway, as recorded by police reports. But what was supposed to be a civilian arrest turned into a homicide as 24-year-old Army veteran Daniel Penny, who was riding the subway, was strangled in a stranglehold on Jordan Neely, who according to witnesses, he had taken off his shirt and said he didn’t mind going to jail before being subdued.

This man felt empowered, that he had a mandate to kill someone., For me, that is injustice, that we are afraid, but the solution is not to kill a person, the solution is to reinvest in programs so that people like Jordan have a place to live, have to eat”, says Karla Reyes, teacher and organizer of marches

Several protests demanding justice have been registered, as so far no arrests have been made. Groups of protesters gathered in Washington Square Park and others took over the Q train tracks over the weekend. At least three people have been arrested and police are looking for six more for jumping onto the train tracks. The debate is open, on whether civilians should intervene to stop the violence on the trains.

“The truth is that I would not defend anyone because, above all, I am afraid of those people. To be honest, when I see them I prefer to get off and change cars”, comments Vanessa Queta, a subway user.

Jordan Neely was homeless and a former Michael Jackson impersonator.

A Go fund account was created for me to help with Jordan Neely’s funeral services, which will take place in the next few days.