The death of a man in New York who was placed in a 15-minute-long chokehold on a subway train is sparking outrage online and inciting calls for more considerate and competent responses to those who are homeless and suffering from mental illnesses.
Video posted on Facebook by freelance journalist Juan Alberto Vazquez shows the horrific incident that happened Monday afternoon on a Manhattan train. The New York Post identified the man who died as 30-year-old Jordan Neely, a known subway performer and Michael Jackson impersonator.
Vazquez stated that a passenger placed Neely in a chokehold for 15 minutes, two of which were caught on video. In the video, Neely is seen struggling against a blond subway rider whose arm is firmly around Neely’s neck while two other men are restraining Neely’s arms and shoulders.
After about two minutes, Neely goes still, and the passenger releases him. Another man moves Neely around and raises his arms, appearing to check if he is conscious, but Neely remains motionless on the floor.
While Neely is unconscious on the ground, a bystander is heard in the background saying, “He’ll be all right. He ain’t gonna die.”
Witnesses report that Neely entered the subway car acting erratically toward other passengers.
Vazquez stated that when Neely started yelling, “I don’t have food, I don’t have to drink, I’m fed up…I don’t mind going to jail and getting life in prison.. I’m ready to die,” before removing a jacket and throwing it on the floor. Vazquez stated that while Neely seemed to be disturbed, “he did not seem to want to attack anyone.”
Neely never did physically assault anyone, but while he was yelling another passenger approached him, grabbed him by the…
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