#4
Amy's employer first said that her employment was under review but later she was fired from her job.
The viral video encouraged Ms Cooper to "publicly apologise to everyone," but she has since lost her job amid the backlash.
"I'm not a racist. I did not mean to harm that man in any way," she told CNN, later stating she was just "scared" since she was alone in the wooded area. "It's not excusable, it's not defensible," Ms Cooper added.
The video was shot by Mr. Christian Cooper, an African American man who describes himself as an avid birdwatcher and has no relation to Ms. Cooper, as published online.
The park has multiple signs surrounding it that tell the visitors to keep their dogs on leash and Mr. Cooper only approached the woman and her dog after seeing the animal running around without a leash on.
CHRISTIAN COOPER
Prior to the start of the video, Mr Cooper reportedly asked the woman to put her dog on a leash to follow park rules. Then, after the woman denied the request, according to Mr Cooper’s Facebook post, he said: ”Look, if you’re going to do what you want, I’m going to do what I want, but you’re not going to like it.”
“I didn’t know what that meant. When you’re alone in a wooded area, that’s absolutely terrifying, right?” Ms Cooper told CNN about the altercation.
After getting into a spat, Christian took out his phone to film the entire situation.
The video started with Ms Cooper holding her dog by the collar as she asked the man to stop filming her. After approaching Mr Cooper, he asked her to not come towards him. She then said in the video she would be calling the police.
“I’m going to tell them there’s an African American man threatening my life,” Ms Cooper said.
“Please tell them whatever you like,” Mr Cooper responded.
Ms Cooper then called police and appeared hysterical as she said: “There’s a man, African American, he has a bicycle helmet. He is recording me and threatening me and my dog.”
She later asked for police to be sent “immediately”.
The video ended with Mr Cooper saying “thank you” after she put a leash on her dog.