New York Daily News: MAHATTAN, NY – Manhattan prosecutors want to educate a white woman who went viral in May after calling in a fake 911 threat on a Black man who requested she leash her dog per park rules.
Amy Cooper appeared virtually in Manhattan Criminal Court on charges she made a bogus call to cops on May 25, claiming avid birdwatcher Christian Cooper was threatening her life. Though they share a last name, the two are not related.
In reality, Christian, a dedicated conservationist, who is Black, had asked Amy to put her Cocker Spaniel on a leash — as the small section of the park they were in is a protected space home to dozens of bird species.
When Christian began filming Amy’s refusal to leash the dog, she pulled her cellphone out like a weapon and called the cops, video shows.
“I’m going to tell them there’s an African American man threatening my life,” Amy said, her voice rising with hysteria as she spoke to a 911 operator.
Manhattan prosecutors charged Amy with falsely reporting an incident.
Christian Cooper – Kerry Burke/New York Daily NewsWearing a black polo neck with her hair tied back, Cooper appeared serious and sullen as she sat in front of a bare white wall at Wednesday’s hearing.
Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi said the incident could be “an opportunity for introspection and education”.
“The people’s position here is that using the police in a way that was both racially offensive and designed to intimidate is something that can’t be ignored,” Illuzzi said.
“We will be exploring, with the defense, a program designed to have the defendant take responsibility for her actions — but also educate her and the community by the harm caused for such actions.”
Judge Nicholas Moyne warned Amy that she needed to attend her next court appearance on November 17.
“Ms Cooper, if you do not appear on that date, a warrant can be issued for your arrest, you could be incarcerated,” the judge said. “Do you understand that?”
“Yes your honor,” Amy responded.
The video – which ended up with an online audience of over 10 million people – was widely viewed as yet another example of a privileged white person making a false accusation against a Black man, which could have jeopardized his safety.
Within hours of the Central Park incident going viral, millions would view harrowing footage of a Minnesota father of one George Floyd dying under the knee of Derek Chauvin.
In that video, white police officer Derek Chauvin is seen kneeling on Floyd’s neck as he pleads for his life. Within ten minutes, the unarmed and handcuff-clad man would be dead.
The two incidents which occurred close in time yet thousands of miles apart, sparked nationwide protests against systemic racism and police brutality.
- Top Feature Photo: Amy Cooper by Christian Cooper/AP
