Elizabeth Lederer, Central Park 5 Prosecutor, Resigns From Columbia Law School Amid 'When They See Us' Backlash
Photo by Michael Norcia/New York Post Archives /(c) NYP Holdings, Inc. via Getty Images)
Photo by Michael Norcia/New York Post Archives /(c) NYP Holdings, Inc. via Getty Images)
Linda Fairstein, another prosecutor in the case, recently stepped down from the boards of several nonprofits including Safe Horizon victims services agency, God’s Love We Deliver, Joyful Heart Foundation, and Vassar College.
Following the fallout Linda Fairstein has received amid the release of Ava DuVernay's When They See Us miniseries, another prosecutor involved with the Central Park Five case is now facing backlash, resulting in her resignation from Columbia Law School.
According to People, Lederer told Gillian Lester, Columbia's dean, that she would not be renewing her teaching application for the next year because of the backlash incited by When They See Us.
"I've enjoyed my years teaching at CLS, and the opportunity it has given me to interact with the many fine students who elected to take my classes," Lederer said. "However, given the nature of the recent publicity generated by the Netflix portrayal of the Central Park case, it is best for me not to renew my teaching application."
The news of Lederer's resignation came from a letter Lester shared with students.
Lederer's resignation comes after the Columbia Black Law Students Association released a letter criticizing the university's "inaction" in addressing her connection to the Central Park Five case.
Linda Fairstein, another prosecutor in the case, recently stepped down from the boards of several nonprofits including Safe Horizon victims services agency, God’s Love We Deliver, Joyful Heart Foundation, and Vassar College. She was also dropped by her book publisher. She recently wrote an op-ed about the miniseries, saying it's an "outright fabrication" and arguing that even though the Central Park 5 didn't beat and rape the jogger, Trisha Meili, they still could've taken part in or assaulted other people in the park.
Source: People
