On Wednesday night, Daniel Penny was at a fundraising gala in New York City, which drew the attention of left-wing protesters voicing their discontent with the luxurious event and its affluent attendees.
Penny, a former Marine who was acquitted of charges related to the death of Jordan Neely on a subway in May 2023, was welcomed by fellow guests as he arrived at Cipriani 42nd Avenue for the Alexander Hamilton Awards.
Attendees, dressed in formal wear, found themselves greeted by demonstrators outside, who had set up cardboard gravestones targeting figures like President Trump and Elon Musk, along with wealthy donors.
One gravestone expressed, “The billionaire tax cuts killed me.”
Another one read, “Trump helped the rich, not me,” complete with a skull and crossbones design.
The protest, dubbed the “Maga Billionaire Blockade,” was organized by Act 3 NYC, who criticized the influential figures linked to the Trump era, alleging they opposed wage increases and universal healthcare while benefiting personally from the privatization of public services.
As part of their demonstration plans, the group stated, “On May 7th, we’re crashing their party,” reinforcing their message that New York City should not be a playground for billionaires, but rather a home for the millions of hardworking residents.
Tickets for the awards dinner, intended to celebrate individuals who have revitalized cities, were priced between $15,000 and $250,000, reflecting the stark contrast with the ongoing economic struggles many face.
