P. Coonan
2023-05-24 22:40:08 UTC
A Hunter College professor has been fired after threatening a New York
Post reporter and a photographer with a machete.
The journalists were trying to speak to Shellyne Rodriguez about an
incident in which she criticised anti-abortion activists on campus, the
Post said.
Ms Rodriguez followed them onto the street with the machete, video showed.
Hunter College, part of the City University of New York, confirmed she had
been "relieved of her duties".
The reporter, Reuven Fenton, along with a photographer, went to Ms
Rodriguez's address in an effort to speak with her after a viral video
showed her criticising anti-abortion students at the university.
According to the Post, she shouted: "Get... away from my door, or I'm
going chop you up with this machete."
The Post's article on the incident says "she held the machete to the
reporter's neck" after opening the door.
The reporters said they left immediately but were followed by Ms Rodriguez
onto the street - with the subsequent interaction caught on a car dashcam
and published by the Post.
Hunter College spokesperson Vince Dimiceli told BBC News: "Hunter College
strongly condemns the unacceptable actions of Shellyne Rodriguez and has
taken immediate action.
"Rodriguez has been relieved of her duties at Hunter College effective
immediately, and will not be returning to teach at the school."
The New York Post, meanwhile, told the BBC it was "glad the reporter is
safe".
In the initial viral video that the Post was seeking comment on, Ms
Rodriguez approaches an information stall run by Students for Life, a
group of more than 120,000 young anti-abortion Americans who want to end
access to abortion.
"You're not educating... This is... propaganda," she tells the students
present. "This is violent. You're triggering my students."
In an expletive-filled rant, she then demands their removal and shoves
pamphlets off the table before walking away, the viral video showed.
"When professors don't respect their students and their rights, schools
become unsafe," said Students for Life president Kristan Hawkins in a
statement. "Students should be taught how to peacefully exchange ideas
with each other and professional staff."
A New York Police Department spokesperson confirmed an incident took
place, but said it was still under investigation.
Ms Rodriguez has been approached for comment.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65692232
Post reporter and a photographer with a machete.
The journalists were trying to speak to Shellyne Rodriguez about an
incident in which she criticised anti-abortion activists on campus, the
Post said.
Ms Rodriguez followed them onto the street with the machete, video showed.
Hunter College, part of the City University of New York, confirmed she had
been "relieved of her duties".
The reporter, Reuven Fenton, along with a photographer, went to Ms
Rodriguez's address in an effort to speak with her after a viral video
showed her criticising anti-abortion students at the university.
According to the Post, she shouted: "Get... away from my door, or I'm
going chop you up with this machete."
The Post's article on the incident says "she held the machete to the
reporter's neck" after opening the door.
The reporters said they left immediately but were followed by Ms Rodriguez
onto the street - with the subsequent interaction caught on a car dashcam
and published by the Post.
Hunter College spokesperson Vince Dimiceli told BBC News: "Hunter College
strongly condemns the unacceptable actions of Shellyne Rodriguez and has
taken immediate action.
"Rodriguez has been relieved of her duties at Hunter College effective
immediately, and will not be returning to teach at the school."
The New York Post, meanwhile, told the BBC it was "glad the reporter is
safe".
In the initial viral video that the Post was seeking comment on, Ms
Rodriguez approaches an information stall run by Students for Life, a
group of more than 120,000 young anti-abortion Americans who want to end
access to abortion.
"You're not educating... This is... propaganda," she tells the students
present. "This is violent. You're triggering my students."
In an expletive-filled rant, she then demands their removal and shoves
pamphlets off the table before walking away, the viral video showed.
"When professors don't respect their students and their rights, schools
become unsafe," said Students for Life president Kristan Hawkins in a
statement. "Students should be taught how to peacefully exchange ideas
with each other and professional staff."
A New York Police Department spokesperson confirmed an incident took
place, but said it was still under investigation.
Ms Rodriguez has been approached for comment.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65692232