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May 25, 2020 is a day that has changed the lives of Christian Cooper and Amy Cooper forever. While birdwatching in Central Park, Christian Cooper spotting Amy Cooper and her dog. Christian Cooper attempted to ask Amy Cooper to put a leash on her dog, but Amy Cooper escalated the matter by calling the police. In fear of how the story would be told without evidence, Christian Cooper recorded the majority of the encounter and shared it with the world. Ultimately, the video garnered millions of views and led several news broadcasts. Ultimately, prosecutors used the video to charge Amy Cooper with filing a false police report, a misdemeanor that can lead to a one-year jail sentence. As expected, the New York dog owner did not end up serving any jail time and she was ordered to complete a five-session educational and therapeutic program focused on racial identity. Fourteen months later, Amy Cooper is still openly discussing the matter. Unfortunately, she has managed to make things look worse and worse for herself.
A recent podcast interview featuring Amy Cooper and podcaster Kmele Foster has raised more than a few eyebrows. During their lengthy conversation, the dog owner claims that she was fearful Christian Cooper would attack her and her dog.
"He's holding these dog treats in one hand and a bike helmet in his other hand, and I'm thinking, 'Oh, my God, is this guy going to lure my dog over and try to hit him with his bike helmet?'" she told Foster.
"And if I end up over there, am I going to get hit by this bike helmet?"
The man in question, Christian Cooper, had no weapon at the time of the incident. Moreover, he has no violent criminal history and there is no evidence of him making any threat toward Amy Cooper.
As the interview went on, Amy Cooper dug a deeper hole as she attempted to insinuate that she had no choice but to call the police on Christian Cooper that day.
"I don't know that as a woman alone in a park that I had another option," she continued.
Amy Cooper's most recent comments differ from those that she delivered in the midst of her legal proceedings. Previously, she said that she had overreacted in that moment.
"When I think about the police, I'm such a blessed person. I've come to realize, especially today, that I think of [the police] as a protection agency, and unfortunately, this has caused me to realize that there are so many people in this country that don't have that luxury," she told NBC.
In contrast, Christian Cooper has made it a point to stay away from discussing Amy Cooper's actions on May 25.
"I think it’s a mistake to focus on this one individual. The important thing the incident highlights is the long-standing, deep-seated racial bias against us black and brown folk that permeates the United States," Cooper wrote in an op-ed for The Washington Post.
Christian Cooper has not commented on Amy Cooper's most recent interview.
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