Part 3/8:
In the wake of the verdict, leaders from social justice movements expressed their outrage, with some calling for a rise in "Black vigilantes" as a means of self-defense against perceived oppression. Their comments in the media emphasized the racial dynamics of the case, arguing that Neely’s death was rooted in systemic racism. This viewpoint sparked debates about the extent to which race influenced the tragic encounter, asserting that Neely was a victim not merely of his actions but of societal prejudice linked to the color of his skin.