Jalil Muntaquim speaks tonight (Wed) at the State University College at Brockport. The man who was imprisoned for nearly 50 years for the murders of two New York City police officers was invited to speak on campus by a SUNY Brockport faculty member.
Muntaquim was paroled in 2020 and moved to Rochester. The invitation to “The History of Black Resistance, U.S. Political Prisoners & Genocide: A Conversation With Jalil Muntaquim,” does not mention his murder convictions. The characterization of Muntaquim as a “political prisoner” drew immediate condemnation from the families of the murdered officers and supporters of police.
The college responded to anti-Muntaquim demonstrations by making the speech virtual, and limiting participation to those with student email addresses. Attendance for the speech is full.
Students then protested last week against the virtual speech, demanding it be returned to a live event.