Last updated on May 29th, 2023 at 09:29 am
An adjunct assistant professor at Hunter College in New York City was dismissed following the emergence of a video in which she brandished a machete towards a New York Post reporter. Shellyne Rodriguez, who has previously drawn attention for her harassment of pro-life students, found herself in the midst of a controversy when the video was made public on May 23rd. The footage showed her threatening reporter Reuven Fenton outside her Bronx apartment, an event that occurred just a day after a separate video of Rodriguez berating pro-life students had circulated widely.
Upon his introduction, Fenton was met with a hostile response from Rodriguez, who from behind a closed door threatened to attack him with a machete. The situation escalated when she opened her door and placed the weapon on Fenton’s neck, screaming at him to leave. Following the incident, Fenton and a photographer who had been with him made a hasty exit from the apartment building.
However, their departure did not mark the end of the ordeal. Rodriguez emerged from her apartment, machete in hand, and chased after them while issuing a series of threats and ultimatums. She shouted at them to leave the block and warned them against returning. In the height of the confrontation, she chased the photographer to his car and then returned to kick Fenton in the shins.
The incident was followed by swift action from Hunter College. School spokesman Vince Dimiceli said, “Hunter College strongly condemns the unacceptable actions of Shellyne Rodriguez and has taken immediate action.” He added that Rodriguez had been relieved of her duties at the school and would not be returning.
The video, which circulated widely on social media platforms, ignited discussions about academic freedom and the extent to which personal beliefs should influence professional behavior. Critics of Rodriguez saw her dismissal as a fitting response to her violent behavior, while her supporters argued that she was targeted unfairly due to her pro-abortion stance.