A man convicted of murdering two New York City police officers spoke to students at SUNY Brockport Wednesday night, saying there are those who would silence him, and silence the idea that someone can express something outside the norm.
Jalil Muntaquim, also known as Anthony Bottom, was invited by a professor to speak to students at the state university campus. He served nearly 50 years in prison for the murders before being paroled and settled in Rochester. His appearance was highly controversial, drawing protest from supporters of police, Republican political leaders and members of the community. Others raised free speech issues and said his past actions have nothing to do with his message now.
Muntaquim spoke for about two hours, talking of his involvement in 1971 with the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army. He did not mention the murders he committed, but said he was imprisoned for fighting white supremacy. He called the prison system a slave population.
As Muntaquim spoke, demonstrations for and against took place just off the campus.