02:01USA: Clashes erupt in New York as protesters defend Daniel Penny after conviction in Jordan Neely subway death
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and other officials organised a demonstration with veterans and first responders outside the Manhattan courthouse on Wednesday, after Daniel Penny, a former marine was charged with manslaughter in the subway chokehold death of Jordan Neely.
Footage shows the veterans led by Blakeman waving US flags outside the court while a counter-demonstration formed at the sidelines, holding signs reading ‘Justice for Jordan’ and ‘Being poor is not a crime’.
Jordan Neely, 30, died on a train at Broadway-Lafayette station in Manhattan on May 1 after allegedly threatening passengers and asking them for money. As a result, he was strangled by 24-year-old Penny, who was one of the passengers onboard.
Witnesses have given contrasting accounts, with some saying the chokehold went too far and others hailing Penny as a hero.
Blakeman addressed his supporters and encouraged New Yorkers to take action if they see someone in peril, in the same way he claims Penny had done.
“We can't thank the men and women at the New York police department enough, they are terrific but they can't be everywhere all the time,” Blakeman said.
if you see anybody in distress, if you see somebody being mugged, somebody being raped, somebody being threatened if you are a lawful citizen, you should act,” he continued.
The Nassau County Executive also criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s decision to prosecute Penny.
"He is making a terrible mistake here. Anybody who is fair-minded, regardless of race, religion and ethnic root, a fair-minded person will look at the facts and will see that there is absolutely no reason to prosecute Daniel Penny," he added.
According to local reports, a small number of Blakeman's supporters were detained by police amid confrontations with counter-demonstrators after his speech.
02:01Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and other officials organised a demonstration with veterans and first responders outside the Manhattan courthouse on Wednesday, after Daniel Penny, a former marine was charged with manslaughter in the subway chokehold death of Jordan Neely.
Footage shows the veterans led by Blakeman waving US flags outside the court while a counter-demonstration formed at the sidelines, holding signs reading ‘Justice for Jordan’ and ‘Being poor is not a crime’.
Jordan Neely, 30, died on a train at Broadway-Lafayette station in Manhattan on May 1 after allegedly threatening passengers and asking them for money. As a result, he was strangled by 24-year-old Penny, who was one of the passengers onboard.
Witnesses have given contrasting accounts, with some saying the chokehold went too far and others hailing Penny as a hero.
Blakeman addressed his supporters and encouraged New Yorkers to take action if they see someone in peril, in the same way he claims Penny had done.
“We can't thank the men and women at the New York police department enough, they are terrific but they can't be everywhere all the time,” Blakeman said.
if you see anybody in distress, if you see somebody being mugged, somebody being raped, somebody being threatened if you are a lawful citizen, you should act,” he continued.
The Nassau County Executive also criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s decision to prosecute Penny.
"He is making a terrible mistake here. Anybody who is fair-minded, regardless of race, religion and ethnic root, a fair-minded person will look at the facts and will see that there is absolutely no reason to prosecute Daniel Penny," he added.
According to local reports, a small number of Blakeman's supporters were detained by police amid confrontations with counter-demonstrators after his speech.