Following the murder of Jordan Neely, there has been a lot of debate and discussion. For the most part, many including UFC veteran Jake Shields believe that Neely was in the wrong. However, with tensions reaching a boiling point, it seems that Shields now has a different take on the matter.
Recently, a subway busker by the name of Jordan Neely was restrained and put in a chokehold by a US Marine Corps officer. According to many, Neely was acting out, harassing, and making threats to fellow passengers. Eventually, he was restrained by the US Marine and two other passengers, which led to his demise.
The system failed both Jordan Neely and the man who killed him
Neely belonged In a mental institution where he would be safe along with the citizens of NYC
— Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) May 5, 2023
Taking to Twitter, Jake Shields gave his take on the matter. “The system failed both Jordan Neely and the man who killed him. Neely belonged In a mental institution where he would be safe along with the citizens of NYC.” Thus, similar to what a lot of people believe, there is a serious lack of social support for the homeless and mentally ill.
Previously, the UFC veteran had some rather harsh words on the matter. Addressing Neely as a “black junkie with over 40 arrests,” Shields was criticized by many. However, his comments were seen to be in poor taste, especially by Black Lives Matter activists. On the other side though, sources state that Neely did in fact have 40 prior arrests and had an active warrant out for his arrest from a felony assault.
Protests have broken out after the murder of Jordan Neely
Ever since the incident, there has been a lot of outrage online and in the streets. As such, numerous protests in the streets of Manhattan and in the subways have broken out with people demanding justice for Neely. For the most part, people want his ‘murderer’, the 24-year-old US Marine Corps veteran to be arrested and held accountable for his actions.
Moreover, many are also protesting for better treatment of the homeless and the mentally ill. According to sources, people are infuriated with the government over their inability to rehabilitate the homeless in the city. Similarly, many have been pleading with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority over the need for social workers and to deploy them at the subway stations.
Thus, there is a lot of hostility towards NYC’s policies regarding the unhoused and their transit services. As it turns out, occurrences involving homeless people in the subway have rapidly been becoming a common occurrence. As always, when a person of color is involved, there is a debate about racial bias and suppression. However, the commonality in all of these arguments is the lack of resources to deal with mental health patients.
Since they are mostly found in the subway, there is a need for swift action to be taken. Whilst Neely’s unfortunate death was a tragic incident, it will not be the last if certain steps are not taken. In the meantime, many have called for the head of the 24-year-old US Marine, who has since been identified by the people as Daniel Penny.
