NEW YORK: A crowdfunding effort supporting the man charged over the chokehold death of a homeless person in New York has raised more than $1.6 million on a platform known for facilitating fund­ing of far-right figures.

The death earlier this month of Jordan Neely, a Michael Jackson impersonator who often performed on the subway, sparked outrage after it was caught on camera.

Daniel Penny, a 24-year-old US Marine veteran, was charged with manslaughter in the second degree and released on bail. The charge accuses Penny of ‘recklessly’ causing the death of 30-year-old Neely, but it stops short of saying he had intent to kill.

The online fund supporting him was set up by the law firm Raiser & Kenniff, P.C., which is representing Penny.

It’s available on the crowdfunding site GiveSendGo, which bills itself as “The #1 Free Christian Fundraising Site.” GiveSendGo has drawn attention for allowing campaigns other crowdfunding sites have removed for violating their terms, particularly those run by alt-right and white supremacist groups.

Conservative Florida Gov­er­nor Ron DeSantis — who has not officially declared a presidential bid but who is widely expected to run for the Republican nomination — threw his defence behind Penny on social media, calling to “stop the Left’s pro-criminal agenda, and take back the streets for law abiding citizens.”

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2023