PBA of New York State expresses disgust at unrepentant cop killer’s invitation to speak at SUNY Brockport

The Police Benevolent Association of New York State, the union representing 1,100 state law enforcement officers from the New York State University Police, New York State Park Police, New York State Forest Rangers and New York State Environmental Conservation Officers, have expressed their absolute disgust at the invitation extended to cop killer Jalil Muntaqim to speak at the State University of New York campus at Brockport on April 6, 2022. 

They released the following statement:

“Muntaqim murdered NYPD officers Waverly Jones and Joseph Piagentini in cold blood, and later justified the homicides by denigrating the officers as ‘pigs.’ Those sponsoring Muntaqim’s invitation added insult to injury by attempting to cloak him in the veneer of a ‘political prisoner.’ Nothing could be further from the truth. The invitation is viewed by our membership as an effort to rehabilitate the image of a monstrous killer through the lens of academic discourse. This is not the message we should be sending to our students as it promotes and legitimizes a sociopathic perspective on life and the dehumanization of those with differing beliefs and values. 

Rather than promoting inclusiveness, Muntaqim’s invitation advances the notion that perpetrating violence against those you disagree with is acceptable so long as they are less human. This dangerous mindset has been used to justify the most heinous crimes throughout history. As protectors of the public and human rights, we must express our outrage and call upon SUNY’s leadership to recognize the callousness of this invitation and the harm it causes to the inclusive and respectful climate we all work so hard to maintain at our institutions of higher learning. 

As educators and protectors, we must promote understanding – not violence.”

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