F-train ad hijack: “A man was lynched here.”

In a bold act of political expression, an early morning on Thursday saw an F train car transformed into a memorial for Jordan Neely, whose death sparked national debate. An autonomous group of New Yorkers, identifying themselves as a diverse coalition, plastered the subway car with stark black-and-white posters reading, "A MAN WAS LYNCHED HERE," alongside the name of Jordan Neely. This action occurred as the jury in the Daniel Penny manslaughter trial deliberates its verdict.

The posters are a direct reference to the historical “A Man was Lynched Yesterday” flag used by the NAACP in the early 20th century as a stark reminder of racial injustices. The group didn't stop at the train car; they also placed flag-shaped stickers on subway maps across numerous stations, particularly marking the Broadway-Lafayette stop, the site of Neely's tragic end.

Daniel Penny, a 26-year-old Marine veteran, is accused of causing Neely's death by holding him in a chokehold for close to six minutes after Neely had been loudly confronting passengers on the subway. Penny faces charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. His defense argues that the use of force was necessary for self-defense, whereas prosecutors contend that Penny's actions were unjustified and lethal.

The incident has reignited discussions on public safety, mental health, and the use of force. The trial has attracted significant attention, with many New Yorkers weighing in on social media about the implications for urban policy and racial justice.

On X, Indie reporter Talia Jane documented as the ad hijack happened.

Early this morning, an autonomous group of New Yorkers reclaimed an F train car, replacing ads with signage reading “A MAN WAS LYNCHED HERE” and Jordan Neely’s name, as a jury deliberates over whether to convict Daniel Penny, Neely’s killer, with his death last May. pic.twitter.com/vA1HwjyjQv

— Talia Jane ❤️‍🔥 (@taliaotg) December 5, 2024

She also added a press release to the end of her thread:

"This morning as the jury deliberates changes for Jordan Neely's killing, an anonymous group of New Yorkers reclaimed public space on the F train" it began. "New York must ensure its public spaces are free from the racist state violence and racist interpersonal violence that shape so much of life for black and brown people in this city."