Statement by the Open Hearts Initiative on the Murder of Jordan Neely

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

CONTACT

Sara Newman, 646-907-9052, info@openheartsinitiative.org

In response to the murder of Jordan Neely, the Open Hearts Initiative released the following statement, which can be attributed to Director of Organizing Sara Newman: 

“Jordan Neely’s murder is the direct result of efforts to dehumanize and demonize New Yorkers who are experiencing homelessness, living with mental illness, or just existing in the world as Black and poor. It underscores a truth that folks who have lived on the streets know especially well: people experiencing homelessness or mental illness are at far higher risk of being harmed than of harming others. This killing is a horrifying reminder of how people’s perception of safety-- feeling uncomfortable or unsettled by another person’s behavior--is used to justify very real harm. In this case, it was Jordan Neely who was unsafe on that train, and it's he who we are mourning today.

When media outlets equate mental illness and homelessness with danger, when elected officials and community boards say that a shelter is a threat to the neighborhood, and when the leaders of our city and state put the bulk of their resources into trying to make people who are struggling disappear for the comfort of people with power, this is what happens. Dehumanizing any of our neighbors makes everyone less safe.”