NYC Leaders Call For Arrest Of Woman In Viral Central Park Video

A white woman caught on video calling the NYPD to falsely accuse a black man of threatening her in Central Park could face charges for the incident.

Amy Cooper was walking in The Ramble in Central Park with her dog this weekend when Christian Cooper (no relation), a bird watcher, asked her to leash her dog, in accordance with park rules and numerous signs.

Video from the incident shows the exchange take a bizarre turn when Amy refuses, demands Christian stop recording her and then tells him that she will call the police to say "there's an African American man threatening my life." She then appeared to call 911 and repeat the accusation several times, while dragging the dog around by its collar.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams added Wednesday that Amy Cooper "must be arrested."

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer said Amy "contributed to making Mr. Cooper feel unsafe in a park where she was wrong."

NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams argued that the situation could have ended in violence, like the arrest of George Floyd in Minneapolis that resulted in his death, and that Amy Cooper shouldn't be let off easy.

"That woman was so comfortable in her privilege, that even being recorded she felt that nothing would happen," Williams told NBC New York. "How dare you — people are dying!"

Amy told NBC that she overreacted, but that Christian Cooper screamed at her. She said that while her behavior was "not defensible," she felt threatened when Christian offered a treat to her dog.

"I sincerely and humbly apologize to everyone, especially to that man, his family," she said. "It was unacceptable and I humbly and fully apologize to everyone who's seen that video, everyone that's been offended...everyone who thinks of me in a lower light and I understand why they do."

Christian said he accepted her apology.

His video was shared to Twitter earlier this week by his sister and quickly went viral. Christian said he stopped recording when Amy put her dog on a leash.

The NYPD determined the incident was a "verbal dispute" and no complaint was filed.

Amy has reportedly been fired from her job and turned in her dog to a shelter.

While she may not face criminal charges, per the NYPD, Amy Cooper is facing a human rights investigation, which could come with fines, damages and community service.

Mayor Bill de Blasio Tweeted that the incident depicted "racism, plain and simple."

Photo: Getty Images


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content