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This is The Takeaway. I'm Melissa Harris-Perry.

On the day that he was killed, 30-year-old Jordan Ely was hungry. Hungry, thirsty, and tired of having nothing. We know about his hunger,

his thirst, his exhaustion, and his need because he told people.

Now, he didn't tell a therapist or a social worker. He didn't tweet it out into an anonymous social media cloud.

He didn't whisper it quietly to a loved one. That's what so many of us do.

Jordan Neely shouted it, impolitely, in public, to strangers

on a moving subway train in New York City. He cried out to those strangers on that train

about his pain, his hopelessness, his hunger.

In response, one of these strangers put Jordan Neely in a chokehold for nearly 15 minutes until he died.

This is what one New York City subway commuter told CNN.

It could have been somebody there to help him, broke it up or anything.

Stop the whole situation, but it's like, at the same time, he don't deserve to lose a life.

Just for being on the train.

I think he should still be alive today.

Now protests have rocked the city subways on behalf of this talented dancer, known for his Michael Jackson impersonations, a man whose mental health deteriorated following the murder of his mother.

Jordan did seek help from the New York City Department of Homeless Services, but that help or from the city or from his fellow passengers

did not arrive in time to save his life. Joining me now is Rashad Robinson, President of Color of Change.

Rashad, welcome back to the takeaway. Thanks for having me. Why have Jordan Neely's death ignited such a strong response?

You know, we saw it on the video and heard the initial sort of callous reactions from some elected officials like the mayor of New York City.

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