CBS also reported Corrections Department spokeswoman Sue McNaughton trying to distance the department from controversy, saying that: Mumia is merely making use of his phone privileges. He's done this before in the past. He's made other commencement addresses. They're not live, from what I understand. They're recorded and then played". the department does not endorse Mumia's speech, but he has the right to talk.
Picking up on the cue from the Philadelphia FOP, the Vermont Troopers' Association president, Michael O'Neil, wrote a public letter to the Goddard president, "on behalf of the 280 members of the Vermont Troopers' Association and the families of slain police officers"." O'Neil asked the college to rescind the invitation, writing in part:
"Your invitation to this convicted murderer demonstrates an absolute disregard for the family of Danny Faulkner". While our nation is searching for solutions to gun violence in our schools and communities, we are outraged that Goddard College is hosting a man who shot and killed a police officer. A college commencement ceremony should be conducted to honor the achievements of graduates, not provide a forum for recognition of a convicted killer."
The Troopers Association did not respond to questions submitted in writing.
October 1, 2014.
Using some language word-for-word from the Philadelphia FOP letter, the national office of the Fraternal Order of Police issued what it titled:
STATEMENT OF NATIONAL PRESIDENT CHUCK CANTERBURY ON COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS BY COP-KILLER ABU-JAMAL
Canterbury, like McNeil, urged "that Goddard College rescind its invitation to this repugnant murderer." Despite the police pile-on, the story gained little traction nationally. The Washington Post played it fairly neutrally, first referring to Mumia as "an infamous American prisoner."
October 2, 2014.
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