SUNY Brockport says controversial event is on, but rescinds speaker's pay

Brockport, N.Y. — A local college's plan to host a talk by a man convicted of killing two police officers is proceeding, despite criticism.

The State University of New York at Brockport is holding "The History of Black Resistance, U.S. Political Prisoners & Genocide: A Conversation with Jalil Muntaqim" on April 6.

The college's events calendar describes the event as an "intellectual conversation on his time with the Black Panthers and serving nearly 50 years as a political prisoner."

The full description reads:

"Join Jalil Muntaqim for an intellectual conversation on his time with the Black Panthers and serving nearly 50 years as a political prisoner.

Jalil Muntaqim, also known as Anthony Bottoms, was born October 18, 1951, in Oakland, CA. He attended middle and high school in San Francisco, CA, and participated in AP math and chemistry programs. Jalil was a teen activist for the NAACP, and joined the Black Panther Party at age 18. On August 28, 1971, he was captured along with Nuh Washington during a midnight shoot-out with San Francisco Police. Mr. Muntaqim spent 49 years in prison, where he was an avid educator with individuals confined, co-founded the Jericho Movement, and initiated the International Jericho March on Washington (1998) and We Charge Genocide: International Tribunal to the United Nations (October 2021). Jalil is author of the seminal work, We Are Our Own Liberators. He gained his freedom in Fall 2019, and currently resides in Rochester, NY. He is a member of Citizens Action Network and People Liberation Program (PLP), as well as a grandfather, father, mentor to many, and loving human being.

Please join this important conversation with Jalil Muntaqim. All SUNY Brockport students, faculty, and staff are invited. You don’t want to miss it! Refreshments will be served! Attendees must wear a facemask Partial funding was received from the PED Grant of the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion."

The biography does not mention that Muntaqim, then known as Anthony Bottom, was convicted in 1971 for killing two New York City Police officers - Waverly Jones and Joseph Piagentini - and served decades in prison. He was paroled in 2020 and moved to Rochester. He drew attention that fall when he registered to vote: something he was not eligible to do.

Diane Piagentini is the widow of Officer Joseph Piagentini. She was shocked when she learned Muntaqim had booked an event at SUNY Brockport. She has been attending each of Muntaqim's parole hearings over the years.

"My initial reaction when I got the email.. was how could this be happening," Piagentini said. "The college can do whatever they want but what they did not do here was be honest with who this man is."

Advocates say, while in prison, Muntaqim turned his life around, earning multiple college degrees and mentoring others. The biography on Brockport's site describes him as a "grandfather, father, mentor to many, and loving human being."

Reverend Myra Brown met him when he was released from prison.

"I am happy that he has given the rest of his life and has been working as hard as he can to give back and to contribute against the violence that he was a part of at 19 years old. I think we are fortunate to have someone like Jalil who is willing to tell their story," Brown said. "He is an upstanding citizen creating the life that we would have wanted for him when he was 19."

The president of the school says Muntaqim's talk is an opportunity for people to gain a new perspective and ask difficult questions.

On campus Tuesday night, several university students said they were indifferent when asked about the event.

"I have read some of the emails, seen the posts on Instagram about everything and I am pretty neutral and can see both sides of what is happening and how people are feeling," said SUNY Brockport senior Alexis Castellaneta.

"I don’t mind it I think it is a good opportunity for him to speak as someone who has been through that he was a black panther and we are a PWI," said Samira Charles, also a senior. PWI stands for predominately white institution.

In a letter to the school community, President Heidi Macpherson defended hosting Muntaqim.

On April 6, Jalil Muntaqim, previously known as Anthony Bottoms, will be at the SUNY Brockport campus to deliver a talk entitled, “History of Black Resistance, U.S. Political Prisoners & Genocide: A Conversation with Jalil Muntaqim.” He was invited by one of our faculty members who was approved for a Promoting Excellence in Diversity grant.

Mr. Muntaqim joined the Black Panther Party at age 16 and the Black Liberation Army at 18. In 1971, he was convicted in the killing of two New York City Police Officers. He spent nearly 50 years in prison for this crime before being released on parole in 2020.

The College has received strong feedback about this visit. Some are outraged that a man who has been convicted of such crimes was invited onto campus. Others look forward to the opportunity to learn about Mr. Muntaqim’s experiences.

We do not support the violence exhibited in Mr. Muntaqim’s previous crimes, and his presence on campus does not imply endorsement of his views or past actions. However, we believe in freedom of speech. SUNY Brockport has routinely held speaking events involving controversial speakers from various background and viewpoints, and will continue to do so. These conversations are uncomfortable. They are meant to be. They’re about gaining a new perspective.

Mr. Muntaqim’s talk will give those who choose to engage an opportunity to learn about his perspective and what may have contributed to his past experiences. Individuals will have the opportunity to ask difficult questions. They can ask why he chooses to identify as a former political prisoner. They can ask how his life experiences have informed the work he does now. Every individual can decide for themselves what they, personally, should do with that information. Should they just absorb it? Do they want to learn more? Do they wish to reject it?

Thank you for your continued willingness to engage in critical and respectful dialogue.

Rochester Police Locust Club President Mike Mazzeo said Brockport should cancel the event.

"I think an event such as this – with an individual speaking is not what we need right now. And I also question the issue of it being an 'intellectual discussion''. I think there is enough controversy about is he a political prisoner or not," Mazzeo said. "I did not take it on its face value. I went back and read a number of things he wrote and I question his remorse. I question his knowledge and understanding of policing."

Tim Dymond, president of the New York State Police Investigators Association, asked the college to withdraw its invitation to Muntaqim and apologize to the families of the officers he killed.

"To refer to a convicted killer who murdered two police officers as a 'Political Prisoner' is shocking, abhorrent and an insult to the families of the two slain officers. NYSPIA fully supports freedom of speech, and we do not question the right of an individual share their thoughts and opinions. However, we do question why SUNY Brockport would invite a convicted cop killer to campus and refer to him as a 'political prisoner'," he said in a statement.

Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter also weighed in. In a statement, he said he prays for crime victims and their families and "those responsible for causing so much pain and suffering."

That said, he does not support Muntaqim's appearance.

"Bottom has the right guaranteed by the First Amendment to enjoy freedom of expression no matter how distasteful. For a government agency to seek him out, advertise, accommodate and compensate him for his speech defies credulity," he says.

There can be no earthly redemption for Bottom's heinous acts. His release was an abomination, his invitation to speak publicly to espouse his narrative of being a victim is abhorrent and an insult to the honor of the lives he destroyed. Forgiveness yes, redemption no.

Assemblyman Josh Jensen, R-Greece has also asked Macpherson to rescind its invitation. In a statement, he said:

"What type of message would we be sending to young college students to call someone who played a role in the assassination of two members of law enforcement a “political prisoner?” What message does it send to criminal justice majors on campus? What message does it send to our law enforcement? Allowing for academic freedom and diversity of thought among college students is incredibly important, however, granting this opportunity to a convicted cop killer is wholly misguided."

Muntaqim tells 13WHAM he declines to comment until after the event.

Wednesday afternoon, Chief Diversity Officer Damita Davis released a statement that the committee hosting the event has rescinded its grant, so Muntaqim will not be paid.

"We are not, however, cancelling the event. Academic freedom allows our faculty to invite guests of their choosing to campus to address our students," she says.

Muntaqim told WHAM that does not change his plans to speak on April 6.

Effective immediately, the Promoting Excellence in Diversity grant program will be suspended while its grant application process is reviewed, according to Davis.