A special education teacher from Connecticut has stepped down after igniting outrage with threats directed at supporters of former President Donald Trump. The controversy surrounds Annie Dunleavy, who reportedly posted a video to social media expressing her anger about the election results and how she envisioned handling Trump supporters.
According to the viral video clip, Dunleavy issued harsh warnings, claiming those who had voted for Trump should "delete me, block me, get rid of everything of me or step to me"; she suggested they would end up "on a stretcher, gone forever" if they tested her. The video quickly went viral, stirring significant backlash from community members and officials alike.
On Monday, Cheshire Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Sloan communicated the district's position on the matter. He acknowledged the school's receipt of alarms from the community following the video’s release, noting it was initially intended as a personal message shared on Snapchat. Dr. Sloan expressed concerns about the inability to maintain normal school operations without addressing Dunleavy's conduct, opting for her temporary suspension pending investigation.
“It is immediately clear,” stated Sloan, “that it will be impossible to conduct business as usual for our students and staff without temporarily removing the teacher from the building.” He clarified the comments did not represent the views of the school district.
Reports indicate the situation escalated quickly, leading to community members contributing to the noise. Phone calls and emails inundated the district, reflecting widespread anger and concern. Criticism from local residents intensified, highlighting worries over safety and how such comments could affect students.
During recent town council meetings, parents expressed fears, with one parent and Trump campaign volunteer, Amy Bourdondes, labeling the video as "a death threat." Bourdondes emphasized, "Our lives have been targeted by an individual who cashes a paycheck from the town of Cheshire every week," highlighting the perceived risks stemming from Dunleavy's remarks. Another concerned resident, Lori Barnes, stated hesitation over enrolling her grandson at the school if Dunleavy remained employed there.
Following the backlash, Annie Dunleavy resigned from her position, stating, "I was in a moment of high emotion, and I shouldn’t have posted." She regretted the message conveyed through her video, stating it could have been misconstrued as justifying violence against women. Dunleavy explained her intention was to assert her right to defend herself and rally against those who might seek to harm her.
Even after her resignation, the local police announced they were aware of the video and would investigate the incident. Fortunately for Dunleavy, authorities later confirmed she would not face criminal charges.
Joe Cantore, who has been vocal against such comments, extended his expectations of disciplinary action, urging school leaders to clarify the consequences for unacceptable behavior within Cheshire Public Schools. Republican Connecticut State Senator Rob Sampson echoed this sentiment with his own statement condemning the video and urging the school administration to act decisively.
Dr. Sloan provided another public statement after Dunleavy's resignation, reinforcing the district's commitment to ensuring every student and family can attend school free from political prejudice and concerns for their safety. The superintendent described the teacher's comments as "hurtful" and emphasized his dissatisfaction with the damaging message sent to the community.
Evidently, the fallout from Dunleavy’s statements has sparked conversations about political discourse, the professionalism expected from educators, and the surrounding effects on the community's environment.
