Investigation launched into Central Park incident involving white woman and black man
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
ABC News
Investigation launched into Central Park incident involving white woman and black man
Investigation launched into Central Park incident involving white woman and black man
New York City's Commission on Human Rights launched an investigation Wednesday into the incident involving a woman who called police after encountering a black man while walking her dog in Central Park .
The commission sent a letter to the woman, Amy Cooper, requesting her cooperation.
MORE: White dog owner fired after calling 911 on black man in viral-video leash-law dispute
"At a time when the devastating impacts of racism in Black communities have been made so painfully clear -- from racial disparities in COVID-19 outcomes, to harassment of essential workers on the front lines -- it is appalling to see these types of ugly threats directed at one New Yorker by another," said Sapna V. Raj, Deputy Commissioner of the Law Enforcement Bureau at the NYC Commission on Human Rights.
PHOTO: This screen shot from a video shows the moment a woman called the police on Chris Cooper in Central Park and told them 'An African American man is threatening me.' (Chris Cooper)
"Efforts to intimidate Black people by threatening to call law enforcement draw on a long, violent and painful history, and they are unacceptable."
The commission said it learned of the incident from the video recorded by Christian Cooper, an African American bird-watcher, who asked Amy Cooper, who is white, to put a leash on her dog. She responded by threatening to call the police.
"I'm going to tell them there's an African American man threatening my life," she is heard on video saying.
MORE: Central Park confrontation sparks outrage overnight
The commission has the authority to fine violators of the law and can award compensatory damages to victims, including emotional distress damages and other benefits. It can also order trainings on the NYC Human Rights Law, changes to policies, and develop restorative justice relief such as community service and mediated apologies, in lieu of or in addition to fines and monetary relief.
PHOTO: This screen shot from a video shows the moment a woman called the police on Chris Cooper in Central Park and told them 'An African American man is threatening me.' (Chris Cooper)
Cooper has been fired from her job at the investment firm Franklin Templeton. The Central Park Civic Association has called for her to be banned from the park.
"The Central Park Civic Association condemns this behavior and is calling on Mayor de Blasio to impose a lifetime ban on this lady for her deliberate, racial misleading of law enforcement and violating behavioral guidelines set so that all can enjoy our city's most famous park," Association president Michael Fischer said.
Investigation launched into Central Park incident involving white woman and black man originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
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This is true.
Years ago, when I was a reg teacher, I took my 4th graders to park to go to the zoo and visit the very famous carousel. My students were mostly black with a few Latino children. We finished off at the zoo and went to the carousel to get a ride and some ice cream. The kids got on the carousel and started to mount the various horses. Now only a few go up and down, and so they are the most desirable. One of my girls got on an up and down one, and she was getting herself strapped in when literally a woman came up to her and shoved her off the horse (she fell to the ground, thank goodness she was not hurt) and put her kid on it. I saw the whole thing since I was checking the kids straps and I was right behind this horse, and I told her to get her kid off that horse or I was going to get a cop for physically assaulting my kid. She looked confused when I said "my kid" but said it never happened and refused and I got the carousel operator to get a cop (who was stationed in the area). I told the cop what happened and he asked me if she was my daughter (since I said she was my kid) and I said, no my student and asked the carousel operator if he has seen it happen (he said yes and agreed with me). The cop threw the mom and the kid out of the park with her yelling and screaming. I still can't get over the gall that she thought she could get away with that.
This activity is so disgusting on multiple levels. I hardly know where to begin reaching into this. I could say, she is generationally removed from this line of 'attack.' But, then I would have to ask where or from whom she learned it. Moreover, there is the matter of this woman has the audacity to tell the man her 'plans for him' while he is filming her!
Hollywood call my agent! A "Made for TV" moment.
There is the issue of white privilege being applied too! She broke out into the 'escalating tears' and sounds of a tussle which is supposed to 'activate' 911 agents into action and staying on line until help arrives. I am not sure if the black man was there when the police arrived (and/or if he was accosted).
They need to investigate the death threats she's getting as well.
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I don't want her dead. I want her to stay alive and think about the mess she created for herself.
Lifetime? For her whole, entire life she should be banned from all parks?
You could murder or rape someone in the park and I bet they would not ban you for life after you got out of prison.
Banning her for life seems sort of silly. It wasnt that big of a deal.
I mean, I think she’s kind of a racist, entitled bitch, but some of the stuff I’m hearing about punishing her is a little over the top.
Christian Cooper is asking people to stop making death threats against the woman who called the cops on him
Not a big enough deal to ban her from the park for life. I dont agree with that at all.
I think the dog would disagree.
John she stated:
She directly 'threatened' him with deliberate intent. Then she proceeded to carry out the action of doing just that! This, life and limb are in danger, is known in the community as how you get a police officer to come immediately (sirens blaring even) and possibly with guns drawn.
She viciously escalated this scene all out of proportions, looking for an effect. Whether she fully comprehended all depth of actions available to police in her fabricated scenario, death of the black man was certainly a possibility.
In effect, she was warning this black that her "performance' was designed to get him either arrested or shot to death! She should be banned for an indefinite period of time, even up to a lifetime. Cities can do it too.
I just want her banned from ever owning another dog.