Communist-tied activist group driving Jordan Neely protests received donations from Soros', Zuckerberg's foundations

George Soros' and Mark Zuckerberg's foundations previously donated to an activist group with communist ties that has recently been promoting protests over the death of Jordan Neely, a homeless man from New York City who was restrained on the subway by a Marine, the Daily Caller News Foundation reported.

On May 1, 30-year-old Neely, who had 42 prior arrests, reportedly behaved erratically and became aggressive while on New York City's northbound F train.

Marine Daniel Penny, 24, and other train passengers stepped in to restrain Neely. A video circulated on social media that captured Penny putting Neely in a choke hold while two other male passengers restrained Neely's arms to subdue him.

Penny was subsequently accused of choking Neely to death. He released a statement through his lawyers explaining that he "never intended to harm Mr. Neely and could not have foreseen his untimely death."

Neely's death sparked large demonstrations, resulting in angry protesters clashing with law enforcement officers on the subway platform after blocking the tracks to halt public transportation.

The protesters threatened to "tear the city down," and many got into physical altercations with police officers over the weekend.

New York's Voices of Community Activists and Leaders, an organization dedicated to empowering low-income individuals, promoted the demonstrations and encouraged its members to participate.

VOCAL released a statement blaming Neely's death on Democratic Mayor Eric Adams and Democratic Governor Kath Hochul for allegedly spewing "hyper conservative, fear-mongering rhetoric" that led to Neely being "lynched."

The organization has previously received significant donations from groups funded by George Soros and Mark Zuckerberg.

From 2017 to 2021, VOCAL received $982,000 from Soros' Open Society Foundations. The organization partnered with the Communist Party USA's New York Young Communist League to spend $100,000 of those funds to prevent evictions during the COVID lockdowns.

The New York Young Communist League has been outspoken in supporting the Neely protests.

In 2019, Zuckerberg's FWD.us Education Fund donated $100,000 to VOCAL.

VOCAL Housing Campaigns Director Adolfo Abreu slammed the governor and mayor for allocating $62 million to police overtime pay and another $455 million loan for a horse racing facility, funds VOCAL officials claim should have been used to address homelessness.

Jawanza Williams, VOCAL New York Organization Director, told Spectrum News NY1, "Just arresting this person, though I think accountability is absolutely necessary, it will not solve the critical structural failings that lead to the 70,000+ people experiencing homelessness every single night in our city, and it will not have saved this person's life."

VOCAL and the FWD.us Education Fund did not respond to a request for comment, the DCNF reported.

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