SUNY Brockport has moved the controversial speech by Jalil Muntaquim next month from a live to a virtual event. Muntaquim spent nearly 50 years in prison for the murder of two New York City police officers. His scheduled appearance on April 6th has drawn a vocal backlash from supporters of police and those who don’t believe he should have been paroled.
Muntaquim, formerly known as Anthony Bottom, was paroled after 49 years and was invited to speak on campus by a faculty member. In a letter to the university, President Heidi McPherson said the move to virtual is intended to prioritize the safety of students, faculty, staff and campus guests.