A tumultuous scene unfolded at Hunter College in New York, as professor Shellyne Rodriguez came under fire for her confrontation with pro-life students and her aggressive behavior towards a reporter.
Rodriguez had previously displayed her disdain towards a group of students distributing information about opposition to abortion on campus on May 2nd.
Expressing her contempt, Rodriguez had declared to the students, "You're not educating sh*t. This is f*cking propaganda." She then insinuated their future activities might include "anti-trans" messaging. She further labeled their efforts as "bullsh*t," "violent," and "triggering" for her students.
The professor's aggression escalated dramatically on Tuesday when she brandished a knife at a reporter. Upon the reporter's self-introduction, Rodriguez threatened, "Get the f*ck away from my door, or I'm gonna chop you up with this machete!" The unsettling scene, recorded and widely shared on social media platforms, featured Rodriguez menacingly holding a blade near veteran reporter Reuven Fenton's neck.
Post identification, Rodriguez continued her threats, even pursuing the reporter and a companion photographer who had promptly vacated the premises. "If I see you on this block one more f*cking time, you're gonna ," Rodriguez yelled, per the New York Post.
Later, the professor allegedly kicked Fenton before retreating to her apartment building. The school administration quickly expressed outrage at Rodriguez's alleged actions, promising a swift and decisive response.
While her conduct has been widely criticized, some organizations have supported Rodriguez. The PSC Graduate Center, a labor union representing CUNY professors and graduate assistants, defended her previous interactions with the pro-life students. Likewise, the City University of New York for Abortion Rights extended its support, declaring, "Her actions to shut down the tabling were fully justified."
According to them, Rodriguez is continuing "a long CUNY legacy of activists confronting groups such as military recruiters who disseminate misleading information." They accused the pro-life students of spreading "lies" on campus without specifying the supposed misinformation.
Hunter College has assured the public that the matter is being taken seriously. As the dust settles on this incident, the wider community awaits the institution's response.
Login