Brooklyn teacher fired for saying she will boycott ‘fundraiser’ for families of killed NYPD officers

A Brooklyn math teacher has been fired for saying she would boycott a fundraiser held for the families of two NYPD officers killed during an ambush attack. 

Laura Lynne Duffy, a teacher at Fontbonne Hall Academy in Brooklyn, wrote in a now deleted tweet: ‘If anyone was wondering, I am intentionally dressing up today. #Abolition #BLM’. 

The Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, New York, which supports Fontbonne Hall, posted an update to Facebook stating that as of Friday, Duffy is no longer employed at the school. 

‘The Sisters of Saint Joseph support the Administration of Fontbonne Hall Academy School which has determined that Laura Lynn Duffy is no longer in the employ of FHA effective Friday February 4, 2022,’ the Facebook post said. 

The school had arranged the fundraiser to raise money for the families of officers Jason Rivera, 22 and Wilbert Mora, 27, who were shot by career criminal Lashawn McNeil, 47, on January 21. 

The school announced the fundraiser on the morning of the event, in a tweet that read: ‘Today we had a dress down day to honor NYPD Officers, Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora for their service to NYC. All proceeds will be donated to the families of our fallen officers. Thank you to Sergeant Polanco, Sergeant Singh & Sergeant Oliveri for joining us.’   

She has since deleted her account amid huge backlash. 

School officials have now launched a probe into the post and have said they ‘do not endorse the personal comments of the faculty member’.

On Wednesday Fontbonne Hall said in a statement: ‘It has come to the attention of the administration of Fontbonne Hall that one of our teachers tweeted a politically charged statement in regard’s to today’s student led fundraiser in support of the fallen NYPD officers.

‘Fontbonne Hall does not endorse the personal comments of this faculty member and we will continue to advance the mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of all inclusive love, unity and reconciliation and prayers are with the families of the fallen officers and we remain proud of our students for the compassion they showed today.

‘We are conducting an internal investigation of the matter and will share an update when appropriate.’   

Yesterday New York City came to a standstill as thousands of police officers arrived to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the funeral of Mr Mora.

The officer’s funeral took place at the same Roman Catholic cathedral where officer Jason Rivera was eulogized and posthumously promoted to detective last Friday.      

In her emotional eulogy delivered in Spanish, Mr Mora’s older sister, Karina Mora, described her younger brother as a man who was ‘full of dream’ and who ‘lit up the room with his smile.’   

Mora argued that police officers had been left defenseless against the rising tide of violence in the city, and called on New York’s lawmakers to crack down on soft-on-crime policies. 

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Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell delivered a powerful speech, telling Mr Mora’s family members and fellow officers filling the cavernous marble church: ‘An ocean of officers shouldn’t have to line streets for the second time in five days, to mourn the appalling loss of a 27-year-old son and brother.’  

Just like she did during Rivera’s funeral, Sewell announced that Mr Mora has been posthumously promoted to detective first grade, drawing applause from the crowd.  

Last week New York City’s cops paid emotional tributes to Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora as hundreds gathered to publicly mourn the passing of their Brothers in Blue. 

The officers were shot after being ambushed by career criminal Lashawn McNeil, 47, during a callout over a family dispute in Harlem on January 21.   

Medics battled to sav Mora who passed away from his injuries at NYU Langone four days later. Rivera, who had been with the force just over a year, died at the scene.

Hundreds of mourners turned out at a makeshift vigil at the NYPD’s 32nd precinct last Wednesday evening to pay their respects to the officers.

NYPD Officer Sterling Medina, who spoke at the makeshift vigil, was overcome with emotion as he shared his own memories of his close friend Wilbert Mora. 

Police Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch also thanked the local Harlem community for stepping up for their police force.

He told the assembled crowds: ‘Lighting candles, placing flowers, bowing their heads, feeding our families, taking care of our police officers, not just here on this block, but every place that you see them.

‘When we pray for our fallen heroes, we can’t forget our third hero. His heroic actions saved lives but left him with a heavy burden to carry.’

Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said: ‘The murders of officers Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora leave us with broken hearts, flags at half-staff, and black bands on our shields. 

‘They were great officers doing an important job — work their fellow Finest continue in their honor. Pray for them. Support them. And never forget.’

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