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Daniel Penny attended a swanky Manhattan Institute fundraising gala in the Big Apple Wednesday night, where left-wing protestors staged a “die-in” to denounce the event’s extravagance and its wealthy elite attendees.

Penny – the former Marine who was acquitted of criminally negligent homicide in the May 2023 killing of Jordan Neely on a New York City subway – received a warm welcome from other guests as he arrived at Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan for the Alexander Hamilton Award Dinner Wednesday night.


  Marine Corps veteran Daniel Penny attended the Alexander Hamilton Award Dinner at Cipriani 42nd Street. Michael Nigro Marine Corps veteran Daniel Penny attended the Alexander Hamilton Award Dinner at Cipriani 42nd Street. Michael Nigro

As the Marine vet and other attendees donned tuxedos for the black tie affair – named after the man who founded The Post – they were greeted by throngs of demonstrators who sprawled out on the ground outside the soiree with cardboard headstones blasting President Trump, Elon Musk and “Top MAGA-donor billionaires.”

“Billionaire tax cuts killed me,” one of the makeshift tombstones read.


  Third Act NYC organized the “MAGA Billionaire Blockade,” where activists staged a die-in at the event’s entrance. Michael Nigro Third Act NYC organized the “MAGA Billionaire Blockade,” where activists staged a die-in at the event’s entrance. Michael Nigro

Another read, “Trump helped the rich, not me,” with a skull and crossbones etched at the top.

Third Act NYC organized the “MAGA Billionaire Blockade” to rally against “oligarchs” associated with the Trump administration and the richest man alive, who, they say, have opposed minimum wage increases and universal healthcare while privatizing public services for personal gain.


  Tables at the awards dinner were priced at $15,000 to $250,000. Michael Nigro Tables at the awards dinner were priced at $15,000 to $250,000. Michael Nigro

  Demonstrators sprawled out on the ground outside the soiree with cardboard headstones blasting President Trump. Michael Nigro Demonstrators sprawled out on the ground outside the soiree with cardboard headstones blasting President Trump. Michael Nigro

“On May 7, we’re crashing their party,” the group said in a call to action for the “die-in.”

“Because New York City is not just a playground for a handful of billionaires. It is the home of over eight million hard-working New Yorkers who have had enough of the elites squeezing our communities so they can add another zero to their bank statement.”


  Hundreds of people participated in the demonstration as the event celebrated individuals revitalizing cities nationwide. Michael Nigro Hundreds of people participated in the demonstration as the event celebrated individuals revitalizing cities nationwide. Michael Nigro

Tickets to the awards dinner – held to recognize individuals contributing to urban revitalization nationwide – were priced as high as $250,000 for a table of 12, according to the Manhattan Institute’s website. 

The lowest-priced ticket for a table went for $15,000.

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