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O.C. College Teacher Received Death Threats After Video Of Anti-Trump Comments She Made In Class Surfaces
An Orange County college instructor has fled the state after receiving death threats and hate mail after a video of her surfaced calling Donald Trump's election "an act of terrorism" in class.
Olga Perez Stable Cox, who has been a teacher at Costa Mesa's Orange Coast College for 30 years, was recorded on video last month making the remarks in a human sexuality class. "We are in for a difficult time," Cox said to the class, referring to the election of "white supremacist" Donald Trump and "one of the most anti-gay humans in this country," Vice President-elect Mike Pence. She went on to call the election "an act of terrorism" and said the country was back to a "civil war."
The remarks led the college's Republican club to file a complaint to school officials on November 30, and last week they posted the first video to their Facebook page. "She's using her power as a teacher who gives grades, with a captive audience, to basically scare and shame students," attorney Shawn Steel told the O.C. Register on behalf of the club.
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More details have since emerged alleging that Cox was singling out students in her class who said they voted for Trump. Another student offered the paper a slightly different account, saying a student stood up in class to support the election results, and Cox invited others to stand if they wished.
Rob Schneiderman, president of Cox's teacher's union, told the Register that Cox has since been harassed with hate mail and even death threats via email and her private phone number, with her address and a photo of her home circulating online. She has since left the state and a substitute teacher has taken over her class.
On Monday, a rally attended by hundreds of faculty and students was held on campus in support of Cox. The teacher's union has also come out in support of the teacher, saying she is noted for her "open and engaging ways in class."
Another video has also surfaced from the same class, with Cox offering support to any students of hers who felt unsafe. "Living in Orange County is scary, when you know you are surrounded by so many people that are so hateful," she says in the second clip. "But I am optimistic that we are the majority and that we will make a difference."
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