Donald Girard: NYC college suspends officer after video shows him threatening student protestors

STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK: A security officer from a New York City college, Sgt Donald Girard, was suspended on Friday, May 24, following the release of a video that showed him using offensive language and threats against pro-Palestinian protestors during their graduation ceremony.

The College of Staten Island’s president Timothy Lynch announced on Friday, May 24, that the officer has been suspended for using "offensive language."

College president Timothy Lynch said offensive language does not reflect their institution's values

In an Instagram video affiliated with student protest organizers, a demonstrator can be heard yelling at the officer, “You support genocide!”

“Yes I do, I support genocide,” says the officer, adding “I support killing all you guys, how about that?”

Addressing the incident on social media platform X, Lynch disapproved of the officer’s behavior.

“Yesterday, the College of Staten Island held a ceremony celebrating over 2,000 graduates,” Lynch wrote in a statement shared on X.

“Unfortunately, a distressing incident occurred during Commencement involving a CUNY Public Safety Officer,” the statement added.

He further clarified, “We want to be clear that the offensive language used by this officer does not reflect the views or values of the College of Staten Island, [City University of New York] or our dedicated Public Safety staff of over 50 officers. We deeply regret that this incident occurred on such an important day for our graduates and their families.”

"The College of Staten Island and CUNY are committed to maintaining a respectful and inclusive environment for all. The officer in question was immediately suspended. We are conducting a detailed investigation and review of the incident to determine further appropriate action," Lynch concluded the statement. 

Call to terminate Donald Girard rises after viral video 

In a recent Instagram post, CSI’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) stated, "at the CSI graduation walkout for CUNY’s complicity in the genocide of Palestinians, CUNY Officer Sgt Donald Girard 281 declared that he supported genocide and ‘I support killing all of you guys.’”

The post further read, “We demand Donald Girard be immediately terminated, as he is a threat to the safety of students at CSI and to all Palestinian/Arab/Muslim members of the CSI community.”

It said, "CSI SJP will be exploring all legal options available to hold Sgt. Girard" and others too for "their violence against CSI students and their families."

CSI, one of multiple schools in the city’s university system, known locally as CUNY, held its commencement on campus on Thursday morning, May 23, according to its website, The Hill reported. 

The news also comes after the United Nation’s top court ruled on Friday, May 24, that Israel must halt its operations in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where more than 900,000 people took refuge in the early days of the war.

Relief agencies have argued there’s nowhere safe left for them to go.

Internet terms officers threats as 'insane' 

Meanwhile, comments on X included, “I’m sure his job is gone though. That’s insane he said that. Someone needs to investigate his past interactions with the public."

One wrote, “Wow he is so racist.” One Instagram user asked, “This is the dude that’s supposed to be protecting people???”

Another hoped, “I hope the cop is in jail!” Reflecting on the comments the officer made in the video, one user wrote, “shameful.”

Another added, “Saying I support killing all you guys as a safety officer who’s paid to protect students of the campus, and that includes CSI’s Arab and Middle Eastern population is despicable.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.