BROCKPORT, N.Y. — SUNY Brockport President Heidi Macpherson says the college has moved an event featuring a controversial guest speaker to a virtual format, after growing calls for the event to be canceled.  

Macpherson released a statement on Wednesday, saying that details for the program will be announced when they are finalized:

Dear Brockport Community:

The safety and security of our community is always our top priority. To help mitigate any potential security concerns around the Jalil Muntaqim event, we are engaging with key partners to build a plan that prioritizes the safety of our students, faculty, staff and campus guests.

With that goal in mind, we have decided to move this event to a virtual format. Details for the virtual program will be shared when they are finalized.

This event has elicited strong feedback, divergent opinions, and has already spurred protests. We are grateful for the various agencies and partners who will be supporting the safety of our campus during the upcoming days and weeks.

We urge students, faculty, and staff to engage in meaningful conversations about this situation.

I appreciate your continued commitment to critical conversations and respectful dialogue.

Sincerely,

President Macpherson

School leaders had previously announced that there would be an increased police presence on campus for the April 6 event and students could choose not to attend classes if they didn't feel safe.   

Jalil Muntaqim, formerly known as Anthony Bottom, was convicted in the 1971 killing of two NYPD officers. The event initially described Muntaqim as a "political prisoner." The school has since clarified saying it does not endorse that characterization but remains committed to academic freedom.

Republicans and police leaders from across the state who have expressed anger with the school's invitation continue to ask for leaders to cancel the event.

"Brockport University went out of their way to insult and demean police officers by extending an invitation to a convicted, vicious, malicious cop killer," said Richie Wells, president of the Police Conference of New York. "He may have a right under the First Amendment to say whatever he wants, and to speak wherever he wants, but Brockport was under no obligation to extend the invitation. And the duplicitous way that they did it by advertising him as a political prisoner, making no mention of what it was that put him in prison, is even more disgraceful."

Last week, SUNY Brockport released a statement saying in part:

"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 backgrounds and viewpoints and will continue to do so. These conversations are uncomfortable. They are meant to be. They're about gaining a new perspective."

The college says a private donation will be used to fund the visit of the former Black Panther and no state funds will be used to pay for his appearance.