A onetime Black Lives Matter leader called for "Black vigilantes" in the wake of the not guilty verdict Monday of Marine veteran Daniel Penny, on trial for choking to death a subway agitator in New York City in 2023.
Hawk Newsome, who co-founded BLM New York and led daily protests outside of the courthouse for the duration of the trial, reportedly shouted "it's a small world" inside the courtroom after a jury acquitted Penny of criminally negligent homicide.
Outside the courthouse later, Newsome called for "Black vigilantes," adding that "everybody else" has these vigilantes and "seeks justice on their own," according to the Washington Examiner.
"People want to jump up and choke us and kill us for being loud? How about we do the same when they attempt to oppress us?" he said.
Penny was acquitted for the death of Jordan Neely, who, according to witnesses, was again threatening passengers on May 1, 2023, until Penny intervened with a chokehold. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg charged Penny with second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. The judge dismissed the manslaughter charge Friday after jurors said they were deadlocked.
"Today, white supremacy got another victory. Today, the KKK, the klansmen, the evil in America got another victory," a family member of Neely's said, omitting that Neely had been arrested 42 times for theft, evading fares, and assault, one of whom was a 67-year-old woman, according to the Examiner.
Newsome broke off from the national BLM movement in 2021 amid allegations of financial improprieties and founded Black Opportunities, the Washington Free Beacon reported.
Penny faced 19 years in prison if convicted on both charges. Neely's father, Andre Zachary, filed a lawsuit against Penny last week.
"I promised this family justice — we are still going to do that," Zachary's attorney, Donte Mills, said after the verdict, Newsweek reported. "The district attorney did a good job, but the jury in this case let us down."
Mark Swanson ✉
Mark Swanson, a Newsmax writer and editor, has nearly three decades of experience covering news, culture and politics.
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