A New York City professor, Shellyne Rodriguez, has been fired from Cooper Union after being caught on camera holding a machete to a New York Post reporter’s neck. The dismissal was reportedly due to her anti-Israel remarks on social media. Rodriguez revealed the news to students in an email, claiming she was terminated because of her comments about “Zionists.”
Social Media Posts and Alleged Antisemitic Remarks Rodriguez, 47, had participated in a CUNY for Palestine panel in January, where critics accused her of making antisemitic remarks. She also posted an edited flyer on Instagram, depicting a pro-Israel event covered with cockroaches. The former Bronx Borough President, Rubén Diaz Jr., targeted in the post, was participating in the event. Jewish students at Cooper Union expressed relief at her firing, calling her comments “despicable.”
Pro-Palestinian Student Group’s Response The Cooper Union Students for Justice in Palestine condemned Rodriguez’s termination, labeling it “an intense escalation of repression” that must be resisted. They argue that the university wrongfully terminated an educator who was valuable to the community and students’ academic livelihood.
Incidents Leading to Firing Rodriguez had previously faced controversy in May 2023 at CUNY’s Hunter College, where she cursed out a group of pro-life students distributing information about abortion. The incident led to her termination from Hunter College. Later that day, she held a machete to a New York Post reporter’s neck when they visited her Bronx apartment for a statement. Rodriguez pleaded guilty to harassment and menacing, and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office requires her to complete a therapy program as part of a conditional plea agreement.
Criticism of University’s Handling Some critics argue that Rodriguez’s firing was long overdue. Jeffrey Lax, a CUNY law professor and co-founder of Students and Faculty for Equality at CUNY, expressed disbelief at the university’s actions. He emphasized that Rodriguez had previously held a knife to a reporter’s neck, stating that the university should be ashamed rather than commended for their decision.
In summary, the professor’s firing comes amidst a backdrop of controversial social media posts, alleged antisemitic remarks, and prior incidents involving threats with a machete. The university’s decision has drawn mixed reactions, with some supporting the termination while others argue that it raises concerns about freedom of expression.
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