‘Why Is This a Race Case?!’ Dan Abrams Spars with BLM Activist Over Daniel Penny Verdict
NewsNation host Dan Abrams sparred with a Black Lives Matter activist on Monday night after a jury found former Marine Daniel Penny not guilty in the New York City subway chokehold case that left Jordan Neely dead.
Penny, who is White, and Neely, who was Black, made headlines when the former choked out the latter on a train last year after Neely scared passengers after exhibiting aggressive behavior.
On Dan Abrams Live, the host sparred about the verdict with BLM New York co-founder Chivona Newsome, who categorized the jury, the country and Monday’s verdict as racist.
Abrams, who is Mediaite’s founder and owner, challenged Newsome in a lengthy back-and-forth over the topic and, at one point asked her, “Why is this a race case?!”
Regarding the jury, Abrams noted it was “diverse,” to which Newsome disagreed. After Newsome argued one potential juror was dismissed for having “purple hair,” Abrams replied, “That’s made up!”
When Newsome invoked Kyle Rittenhouse and identified jurors, Penny, and Neely by their respective races, Abrams asked her, “Why is this a race case!? Did Daniel Penny say anything racist?!”
“If Jordan Neely was a White man, we’d be saying it was the opioid crisis,” Newsome claimed. “He was hungry, he was mentally ill, he had a muffin in his pocket.”
After Newsome asked a series of broad questions about race, Abrams said, “You’re asking a lot of questions that are sort of rhetorical questions, right? But the ultimate question is why did the jury acquit? Is it because they’re racists?”
The two concluded the discussion with Newsome claiming the jury – which was made up of numerous Black New Yorkers – was “racist.”
NEWSOME: America is inherently biased.
ABRAMS: So the jury – the jury is racist?
NEWSOME: Have you have seen –
ABRAMS: I’m asking you a question, don’t change the subject. Is it because the jury is racist?
NEWSOME: Yes.
Abrams also argued during the exchange that, in his estimation, no charges would have been brought against Penny if Neely had also been White.
Watch above via NewsNation.
