Hawley urges SUNY Brockport to cancel speaker convicted of killing police officers in 1971

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley is adding his voice to opposition with Brockport State College’s planned speaking appearance on April 6 for Anthony Bottom, who was convicted in 1971 of killing two NYPD officers. Bottom, also known as Jalil Muntaqim, spent nearly 50 years in prison for the crime. He was released on parole in 2020.

Hawley issued this statement this afternoon:

“While colleges and universities are indeed places where uncomfortable conversations about controversial subjects should take place, I am deeply disappointed that members of the SUNY Brockport Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion have decided to invite Anthony Bottom, a convicted cop-killer, onto campus while framing his experiences as those of a ‘political prisoner,’ all while using taxpayer grant funding to do so.

“It is nothing less than a slap in the face for the family of the two officers he murdered, as well as those serving currently in law enforcement who face very real threats from individuals like him daily in their work.

“In speaking with administrators of SUNY Brockport, I have been reassured this decision was one that was spearheaded by a subcommittee consisting of several faculty members in conjunction with the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

“Unless Mr. Bottom plans on speaking about how remorseful he is for his actions, he has no place on a SUNY campus, especially not as a paid speaker. I very much so hope a closer review of grant applications will be forthcoming.”