Garbarino Joins Widow of Slain NYPD Officer, Outraged Law Enforcement, State & Local Electeds To Protest Convicted Cop Killer Speaking on SUNY Campus

Deer Park, N.Y. - March 27, 2022 - Today, Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-02), joined with Diane Piagentini, widow of slain NYPD Officer Joseph Piagentini, New York Assemblyman Keith Brown, New York City PBA President Patrick Lynch, other state and local elected officials, and dozens of outraged local police, educators, and community members to protest a convicted cop-killer’s planned speech to college students at SUNY Brockport. The event took place this morning at the Patrolman Joseph Piagentini Memorial Playground in Deer Park, N.Y.

Rep. Garbarino began his remarks lamenting the fact that today's press conference was even necessary. "I want to apologize to the Piagentini and Jones families for the fact that we're here, for the fact they have to relive the deaths of their loved ones over 50 years ago," he began. "It's a disgrace that we actually have to be here today to demand that SUNY Brockport cancel this speech."

"I don't get angry very often, but I'm angry today," Rep. Garbarino continued. "I'm angry that a publicly funded school invited a cop killer to speak on their campus. I'm angry that they're labeling him a political prisoner. He wasn't in prison because of his beliefs. He was in prison because he assassinated two New York City police officers. I'm angry that he's walking around on the street freely because of Andrew Cuomo's parole board. The only communication this guy should have with the outside world is through a plate glass window in a state penitentiary. SUNY Brockport needs to do the right thing. They need to apologize to the Jones and Piagentini families. They need to cancel this speech today." He concluded his remarks saying, "God bless our officers."

This is not the first time Rep. Garbarino has spoken out against SUNY Brockport's speaking invitation to the cop-killer. Earlier this month, he and several members of the New York Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the university urging them to cancel the event and apologize to the families of the slain officers.

The killer, Jalil Muntaqim, was convicted of the brutal 1971 murders of NYPD Officers Joseph Piagentini and Waverly Jones. Muntaqim, along with others, ambushed the patrolmen after they were lured into public housing using a phony 911 call. He was released on parole in 2020.

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