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Christian Cooper's sister posted the video on her Twitter account, while Christian posted the video to his own Facebook page.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Stewart|first=Nikita|date=May 30, 2020|title=The White Dog Walker and #LivingWhileBlack in New York City|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/30/nyregion/central-park-video.html|access-date=July 2, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Within hours of the uploads, it had been viewed millions of times.<ref>{{cite web |last1=andcallmeshirley |title=Central Park Karen |url=https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/central-park-karen |website=Know Your Meme |publisher=Literally Media, Ltd. |accessdate=June 6, 2020}}</ref><ref name=":3"/>
Christian Cooper's sister posted the video on her Twitter account, while Christian posted the video to his own Facebook page.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Stewart|first=Nikita|date=May 30, 2020|title=The White Dog Walker and #LivingWhileBlack in New York City|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/30/nyregion/central-park-video.html|access-date=July 2, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Within hours of the uploads, it had been viewed millions of times.<ref>{{cite web |last1=andcallmeshirley |title=Central Park Karen |url=https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/central-park-karen |website=Know Your Meme |publisher=Literally Media, Ltd. |accessdate=June 6, 2020}}</ref><ref name=":3"/>


Amy Cooper's actions in the video were widely criticized. She was accused of falsely presenting herself as being in immediate physical danger. The fact that prior to placing the call she repeatedly tells him she is about to tell the police an African-American man is threatening her is seen as evidence she was "weaponizing" the widely, albeit questionably, perceived [[Race in the United States criminal justice system|prejudice of the police against people of color]], and the fear of potential physical harm many black people feel when confronted by the police.<ref>{{cite web |last1=North |first1=Anna |title=Amy Cooper's 911 call is part of an all-too-familiar pattern |url=https://www.vox.com/2020/5/26/21270699/amy-cooper-franklin-templeton-christian-central-park |date=May 26, 2020|work=Vox Media |accessdate=June 6, 2020}}</ref>
Amy Cooper's actions in the video were widely criticized. She was accused of falsely presenting herself as being in immediate physical danger. The fact that prior to placing the call she repeatedly tells him she is about to tell the police an African-American man is threatening her is seen as evidence she was "weaponizing" the widely, albeit questionably perceived [[Race in the United States criminal justice system|prejudice of the police against people of color]], and the fear of potential physical harm many black people feel when confronted by the police.<ref>{{cite web |last1=North |first1=Anna |title=Amy Cooper's 911 call is part of an all-too-familiar pattern |url=https://www.vox.com/2020/5/26/21270699/amy-cooper-franklin-templeton-christian-central-park |date=May 26, 2020|work=Vox Media |accessdate=June 6, 2020}}</ref>


In the video, Amy was seen dragging her dog, a [[Cocker Spaniel]], by its collar.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Animal rescue gives dog back to white woman who called police on black man in Central Park|url=https://whdh.com/news/animal-rescue-gives-dog-back-to-white-woman-who-called-police-on-black-man-in-central-park/|access-date=2020-07-07|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Jen Chung|date=2020-05-26|title=White Woman Calls 911 On Black Man Birdwatching In Central Park Who Said Her Dog Should Be Leashed|url=http://gothamist.com/news/white-woman-calls-911-black-man-birdwatching-central-park-who-said-her-dog-should-be-leashed|access-date=2020-07-07|website=Gothamist|language=en}}</ref> On May 25 she surrendered the dog to the shelter from which she adopted him two years before.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Nir|first=Sarah Maslin|date=2020-05-26|title=White Woman Is Fired After Calling Police on Black Man in Central Park|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/26/nyregion/amy-cooper-dog-central-park.html|access-date=2020-07-07|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On June 3, after an evaluation by the shelter's veterinarian, the dog was returned to her.<ref name=":3" />
In the video, Amy was seen dragging her dog, a [[Cocker Spaniel]], by its collar.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Animal rescue gives dog back to white woman who called police on black man in Central Park|url=https://whdh.com/news/animal-rescue-gives-dog-back-to-white-woman-who-called-police-on-black-man-in-central-park/|access-date=2020-07-07|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Jen Chung|date=2020-05-26|title=White Woman Calls 911 On Black Man Birdwatching In Central Park Who Said Her Dog Should Be Leashed|url=http://gothamist.com/news/white-woman-calls-911-black-man-birdwatching-central-park-who-said-her-dog-should-be-leashed|access-date=2020-07-07|website=Gothamist|language=en}}</ref> On May 25 she surrendered the dog to the shelter from which she adopted him two years before.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Nir|first=Sarah Maslin|date=2020-05-26|title=White Woman Is Fired After Calling Police on Black Man in Central Park|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/26/nyregion/amy-cooper-dog-central-park.html|access-date=2020-07-07|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On June 3, after an evaluation by the shelter's veterinarian, the dog was returned to her.<ref name=":3" />

Revision as of 13:53, 7 July 2020

The Ramble in Central Park

The Central Park birdwatching incident was a confrontation on May 25, 2020, between a white woman, Amy Cooper, walking her dog and a black birdwatcher, Christian Cooper (no relation), in a section of New York City's Central Park known as the Ramble. Amy Cooper's dog was unleashed in the Ramble, an area where leashing was required; she allegedly refused Christian Cooper's request that her dog be leashed. When Christian Cooper beckoned the dog toward him with a dog treat, Amy Cooper yelled "Don't you touch my dog!" She ultimately placed a call to 9-1-1 when Christian Cooper started recording her, but by the time New York City Police Department officers responded, both parties had left.[1]

The incident received wide publicity when a video of part of the incident went viral in the hours following the event.[2] On July 6, 2020, the Manhattan District Attorney announced that Amy Cooper had been charged with filing a false police report, a misdemeanor with a penalty of up to one year in jail. She is scheduled for arraignment on October 14.[3]

The Central Park incident happened the same day as the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police Department officers, an event that triggered weeks of protest worldwide.[4] Several days before, three white men in Georgia were charged with the murder of Ahmaud Arbery on February 23, 2020.[5]

Incident

On the morning of May 25, 2020, a white woman named Amy Cooper was walking her dog in an area of Central Park known as the Ramble. Black comic book writer and editor Christian Cooper, who was not related to Amy Cooper, was birdwatching there, and noticed that Amy's dog was unleashed and running free,[6] despite the requirement that dogs in that part of the park be on-leash according to the Central Park Conservancy, which manages the park under contract with the city.[7] Christian asked Amy to leash her dog, and she allegedly refused. By his own account, Christian then said, "Look, if you're going to do what you want, I'm going to do what I want, but you're not going to like it," and beckoned the dog toward him with a dog treat.[8] Amy then yelled, "Don't you touch my dog!"[8] Christian then began recording on his cellphone.[6][8]

Video

External videos
video icon Video recorded by Christian Cooper on Twitter

Christian Cooper's video begins with Amy Cooper approaching him asking him to stop recording, and pointing her finger in his face.[9] He says to her: "Please don't come close to me".[10][1] She then says to Christian: "I’m calling the cops … I’m gonna tell them there’s an African American man threatening my life.”[1]

She then pulls out her phone and begins calling the police, and when connected to the 9-1-1 operator, she tells the operator that "There is an African American man—I am in Central Park— he is recording me and threatening myself and my dog. Please send the cops immediately!"[1][11] The video ends with Christian telling her "thank you", the moment she leashes the dog.[12] Police said that by the time they responded, both individuals had left.[13]

Reaction

Christian Cooper's sister posted the video on her Twitter account, while Christian posted the video to his own Facebook page.[14] Within hours of the uploads, it had been viewed millions of times.[15][1]

Amy Cooper's actions in the video were widely criticized. She was accused of falsely presenting herself as being in immediate physical danger. The fact that prior to placing the call she repeatedly tells him she is about to tell the police an African-American man is threatening her is seen as evidence she was "weaponizing" the widely, albeit questionably perceived prejudice of the police against people of color, and the fear of potential physical harm many black people feel when confronted by the police.[16]

In the video, Amy was seen dragging her dog, a Cocker Spaniel, by its collar.[17][18] On May 25 she surrendered the dog to the shelter from which she adopted him two years before.[19] On June 3, after an evaluation by the shelter's veterinarian, the dog was returned to her.[1]

After viewing the video that day, Amy's employer, Franklin Templeton, placed her on administrative leave pending an investigation. The following day the company fired her from her job as head of the firm's insurance investment.[20]

In a Facebook commentary, television host Trevor Noah said that the confrontation between the two Coopers was an example of how white and black Americans see, and are seen by, the police differently.[21] He said that this event being captured on video meant that viewers could perceive Amy Cooper's actions as deliberate, and verifying the police's unequal treatment of people of different races. The incident brought attention to the possibility that many similar events happened in the U.S. without video proof.[22]

Legislation

In 2018, legislation was first proposed in the New York State Assembly by Assemblyman Félix W. Ortiz that would consider falsely reporting criminal incidents against protected groups of people—including race, gender, and religion—to be a hate crime. Violators could face prison time "if the motivation for reporting such crime is motivated by a perception or belief about their race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation".[23] The bill was re-introduced in the Assembly by Ortiz with four co-sponsors[24][25] and in the New York State Senate by Senator Brian Benjamin in May 2020 in the wake of the Central Park incident[26][27][28] and gained further support from the George Floyd protests.[citation needed] It was subsequently supported by Governor Andrew Cuomo as part of a set of other proposals related to police reform for the 2020 New York legislative session, and he signed it into law in June 2020.[23][13]

During the week of the incident, the New York City Commission on Human Rights launched an investigation of the interaction, and sent a letter to Amy Cooper requesting her cooperation. The Commission has the power to fine violators of the law, award financial damages to victims, order training on the New York City Human Rights Law, and order community service.[29]

The Central Park Civic Association asked New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to ban Amy Cooper from the park.[30]

On July 6, 2020, the Manhattan District Attorney announced that Amy Cooper had been issued a desk appearance ticket (an order to appear in New York City Criminal Court) and charged with filing a false police report, a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of up to one year in jail[31]; lesser sentences could include community service or counseling.[32] She is scheduled for arraignment on October 14.[3] Manhattan District Attorney Mr. Cyrus Vance said in a statement "We are strongly committed to holding perpetrators of this conduct accountable".[33]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "White Woman Who Called Police on a Black Man at Central Park Apologizes, says 'I'm Not a Racist'". Time. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  2. ^ Nir, Sarah Maslin (June 14, 2020). "How 2 Lives Collided in Central Park, Rattling the Nation". The New York Times. p. 1. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Ransom, Jan. "Amy Cooper Faces Charges After Calling Police on Black Bird Watcher". New York Times. New York Times. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  4. ^ Lang, Marissa; Olivio, Antonio; Stein, Perry; Swenson, Kyle. "After week of protest, Saturday expected to bring largest crowds yet to Washington". The Washington Post. Washington Post. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  5. ^ "Three men indicted over death of black jogger". BBC News. June 25, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Nir, Sarah (May 27, 2020). "The Bird Watcher, That Incident and His Feelings on the Woman's Fate". The New York Times. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  7. ^ "Dogs in Central Park" (PDF). Central Park Conservancy. Central Park Conservancy. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c Sheehy, Kate (May 26, 2020). "Christian Cooper recounts incident with Amy Cooper before Central Park video". New York Post. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  9. ^ [1]
  10. ^ [2]
  11. ^ [3]
  12. ^ Melody Cooper [@melodyMcooper] (May 25, 2020). "Oh, when Karens take a walk with their dogs off leash in the famous Bramble in NY's Central Park, where it is clearly posted on signs that dogs MUST be leashed at all times, and someone like my brother (an avid birder) politely asks her to put her dog on the leash" (Tweet). Retrieved June 6, 2020 – via Twitter.
  13. ^ a b "Amy Cooper Charged With Filing False Report After Central Park Incident". HuffPost Canada. July 6, 2020.
  14. ^ Stewart, Nikita (May 30, 2020). "The White Dog Walker and #LivingWhileBlack in New York City". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  15. ^ andcallmeshirley. "Central Park Karen". Know Your Meme. Literally Media, Ltd. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  16. ^ North, Anna (May 26, 2020). "Amy Cooper's 911 call is part of an all-too-familiar pattern". Vox Media. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  17. ^ "Animal rescue gives dog back to white woman who called police on black man in Central Park". Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  18. ^ Jen Chung (May 26, 2020). "White Woman Calls 911 On Black Man Birdwatching In Central Park Who Said Her Dog Should Be Leashed". Gothamist. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  19. ^ Nir, Sarah Maslin (May 26, 2020). "White Woman Is Fired After Calling Police on Black Man in Central Park". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  20. ^ Massa, Annie (May 28, 2020). "Franklin Templeton fires staffer after park video goes viral". Financial Planning. Arizent. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  21. ^ Noah, Trevor. "George Floyd, the Minneapolis Protests, Ahmaud Arbery & Amy Cooper". Facebook. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  22. ^ Bellafante, Ginia (May 29, 2020). "Why Amy Cooper's Use of 'African-American' Stung". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  23. ^ a b Hogan, Bernadette (June 5, 2020). "Cuomo wants state lawmakers to pass 'Amy Cooper' 911 false accusation bill". New York Post. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  24. ^ "NY State Assembly Bill A3566". NY State Senate. January 29, 2019. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  25. ^ "New York State Assembly | Félix W. Ortiz". nyassembly.gov. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  26. ^ Donaghue, Erin (May 28, 2020). "Some false police reports could be a hate crime under proposed New York law". CBS News. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  27. ^ "Some false police reports could be considered hate crime if proposed New York bill passes". wvlt.tv. May 28, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ Chasan, Aliza; Cole, Kristin (May 26, 2020). "Lawmakers introduce new hate crime legislation in the wake of viral Central Park video". WPIX. Retrieved June 15, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  29. ^ [4]
  30. ^ [5]
  31. ^ McEvoy, Jemima. "Amy Cooper Charged With Misdemeanor For Calling Police On Black Bird Watcher". Forbes. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  32. ^ Ethier, Marc (July 6, 2020). "Poets&Quants | Charges Filed Against Chicago Booth MBA Whose Racism Went Viral". Poets&Quants. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  33. ^ "Amy Cooper Charged Who Called Police Over Black Birdwatcher". EMEA Tribune. July 7, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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