Harlem city councilwoman Kristin Richardson Jordan created controversy when she gave her condolences to the families of slain NYPD cops Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora and then extended her condolences to the family of LaShawn McNeil, the man who killed the two officers.
“My deepest condolences to the families of Officer Rivera, Officer Mora and Lashawn McNeil,” Jordan tweeted. “Lives lost due to broken public safety & mental health systems that spare nobody. Harlem stands with the families of the fallen and we will not stop fighting for a safer world for all,” the rest of the tweet read. She also posted a video of a vigil she held – which was poorly attended – for the slain cops and the man that killed them. “We hold space for all lives lost,” Jordan said.
The tragic incident occurred when Officers Rivera and Mora were responding to a domestic disturbance call in Harlem. In the call, a woman – later identified as McNeil’s mom – complained of problems with her son, and led the two officers through a corridor to a room. Without warning, the door opened and Lashawn McNeil open fired on the two officers. He tried to flee the scene but was shot by a third officer – he later succumbed to his injuries.
Officer Rivera died in the evening, while Mora, who was shot in the head, was taken off life support days later, according to his family’s wish.
Kristin Jordan’s tweet was not taken well by some twitter users, with a twitter user named Melanie Wesslock commenting “A little self awareness? Look around. Where are your community members? Don’t blame the weather. Ppl come out for what they believe in. Just look at PO Rivera & PO Mora’s funerals. Freezing cold, packed w people paying respects. You’re alone at this vigil for a reason. Shameful.” Another twitter user asked, “Including a felon that shot two cops. Why include him?”
Jordan promptly deleted the comments that were critical of her, something which might amount to a violation of the First Amendment, since she is a public official. Katie Fallow, senior counsel from the First Amendment Institute at Columbia University said, “as a general matter … public officials are bound by the First Amendment and have to allow speech in a forum, including speech that’s critical of them.”
Kristin Jordan is a democratic socialist who was elected to Harlem city council in January. She is quite open about her dislike of the police. In fact, she wants to abolish the police, often likening it to slavery. While many Democrats are opening their eyes to the anti-police movement, Jordan is still steadfast in her views, despite the rising crime rate in New York. The crime rate in New York City is up 39 percent compared to the same point last year.
