Central Park birdwatcher says Amy Cooper death threats must ‘stop immediately’
by Jackie SaloThe black birdwatcher who filmed white dog owner Amy Cooper calling the cops on him in Central Park says she’s received death threats — which he urged must “stop immediately.”
Christian Cooper, who is not related to the woman, said he became aware of the threats against her as the video blew up over Memorial Day weekend of her losing it because he asked her to put her dog on a leash as per the park rules.
“I am told there has been death threats and that is wholly inappropriate and abhorrent and should stop immediately,” Christian told CNN’s Don Lemon on Tuesday night.
In the video, the woman pleads with a 911 operator for police to come, claiming there’s an African American man threatening her life.
“I find it strange that people who were upset that … that she tried to bring death by cop down on my head, would then turn around and try to put death threats on her head. Where is the logic in that?” Christian said. “Where does that make any kind of sense?”
Amy — who was let go Tuesday from her gig at investment firm Franklin Templeton — apologized for her meltdown, but whined that her “entire life is being destroyed” and claimed that she was “scared” in the moment.
“I’m not a racist. I did not mean to harm that man in any way,” she told CNN.
Christian said he believes that her apology was genuine, but that she still may not realize that her behavior was racist.
“I think her apology is sincere,” Cooper told the outlet. “I’m not sure that in that apology she recognizes that while she may not be or consider herself a racist, that particular act was definitely racist.”
The footage of the encounter has sparked widespread outrage, with social media dubbing her “Karen,” which is shorthand online for white women who call the cops on black neighbors over harmless incidents.
The New York City Commission on Human Rights announced Wednesday it is launching an investigation into the altercation.