The State University College at Brockport will drop the fee it planned to pay a controversial speaker, but says the event will go on in the interest of free academic discussion.
SUNY Brockport is hosting an evening called “The History of Black Resistance, U.S. Political Prisoners and Genocide, a Conversation with Jalil Muntaquim” on April 6. Muntquim, also known as Anthony Bottoms, is a former Black Panther who served 49 years in prison for the murder of two New York City police officers in 1971. He was release in 2020 on parole and settled in Rochester.
There was immediate pushback against the Muntaquim apearance, particularly from police and some elected officials. Opposition also came from the widow of one of the murdered police officers.
Muntaquim was to have been paid through a grant for his appearance, but the college announced Wednesday evening it was canceling the payment, although not the event.
Brockport President Heidi McPherson defended inviting Muntaquim to speak, saying “we do not support the violence exhibited in Mr Muntaquim’s previous crimes, and his presence on campus does not imply endorsement of his views or past actions.” McPherson says SUNY Brockport has routinely held events involving controversial speakers and will continue to do so. She says they’re about being uncomfortable and gaining new perspective.
The Rochester Police Locust Club said Brockport should cancel the event as did the New York State Police Investigators Association.