This image made from Monday, May 25, 2020, video provided by Christian Cooper shows Amy Cooper with her dog talking to Christian Cooper at Central Park in New York. A video of a verbal dispute between Amy Cooper, walking her dog off a leash and Christian Cooper, a black man bird watching in Central Park, is sparking accusations of racism. (Christian Cooper via AP)
A white woman walking her dog who called the police during a videotaped dispute with a Black man in Central Park was charged Monday with filing a false report.
In May, Amy Cooper drew widespread condemnation for calling 911 to report she was being threatened by "an African-American man" when bird watcher Christian Cooper appeared to keep his distance as he recorded her rant on his phone.
District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said in a statement on Monday that his office had charged Amy Cooper with falsely reporting the confrontation, a misdemeanor. She was ordered to appear in court on Oct. 14.
After the backlash, Amy Cooper released an apology through a public relations service, saying she "reacted emotionally and made false assumptions about his intentions."
"He had every right to request that I leash my dog in an area where it was required," she said in the written statement. "I am well aware of the pain that misassumptions and insensitive statements about race cause and would never have imagined that I would be involved in the type of incident that occurred with Chris."
Public relations expert and successful TikToker Robyn DelMonte joined Cheddar News to provide some insight into effective strategies for building a brand through social media.
Celebrity trainer Corey Calliet stopped by Cheddar News studio to talk about his process for getting the Creed III cast in tip-top shape for their big on-screen face-off.
Author Willie Mae Brown, a child of the civil rights movement era, joined Cheddar News to talk about her children's book "My Selma," in which she tells the story of her younger life through the voice of her 12-year-old self.
Black History Month might be over but an immersive Black history art exhibit in Westchester, New York is offering people a chance to learn some lesser-known facts year-round.
