Michael Issacson, 29, is a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, part of the public City University of New York system. He is pictured wearing an antifa shirt
A professor with ties to antifa has slammed Bill de Blasio after the New York City mayor blasted his tweets about 'dead cops'.
Michael Isaacson, 29, tweeted his disgust with de Blasio on Saturday, a day after the professor ignited a furor with his remarks about teaching aspiring police officers at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
'Some of y’all might think it sucks being an anti-fascist teaching at John Jay College but I think it’s a privilege to teach future dead cops,' Isaacson tweeted on August 23, with the remarks coming to light after his appearance on Fox News Thursday night.
Isaacson was placed on administrative leave from John Jay, part of the public City University of New York system, on Friday.
De Blasio, who in the past has had his own reputation issues with the NYPD rank-and-file, spoke out swiftly to condemn the professor.
Isaacson wrote that de Blasio had infringed on the school's administrative autonomy, and 'taken a swipe at free speech and academic freedom'
'New York City won't stand for the vile anti-police rhetoric of Michael Isaacson and neither should John Jay College,' de Blasio said in a Friday evening tweet.
Isaacson clapped back on Saturday in a multi-part tweetstorm: 'idk if he consulted anyone before sending this out, but he really should have because he messed up big.'
Isaacson wrote that de Blasio had infringed on the school's administrative autonomy, and 'taken a swipe at free speech and academic freedom.'
He also accused the mayor of taking a cheap shot at him to placate the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, the main union representing NYPD cops.
'Keep in mind this is the same @NYCMayor who was protested by that same PBA for balking on a 1% pay increase. Who's really anti-police here?' wrote Isaacson.
The professor's tweets about 'dead cops' came to light on Friday after he appeared on Fox News.
The Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, the Detectives' Endowment Association and the NYPD Captains Endowment Association all released statements condemning Isaacson's action.
Isaacson told the Daily News: 'I don't have a problem with individual police officers — I mean, I teach them — but I don’t like policing as an institution.'
He added to the New York Post: 'I critique policing as an institution which operates at the behest of a state that increasingly represents the weapons and prison industry rather than the public they’re supposed to serve through decades of gerrymandering by both Republicans and Democrats.'
The professor is involved in the antifa - or anti-fascist - movement.
He founded a group called Smash Racism D.C., which advocates violence against organized white supremacists.
He also considers himself to be an anarchist.
The publicity surrounding Isaacson's comments came as a result of his appearance on the Tucker Carlson show on Friday.
On the show, the professor did verbal battle with the conservative commentator.
He told Carlson: I teach [my students] to think critically, and that’s why I’m very open about my anti-fascism and my anarchism.'
Tweeters have sent death threats to Isaacson ever since his August 23 tweet.
Isaacson said that his Friday class had to be watched over by three security guards and receive active shooter training.
In a statement, he said he agreed with the decision to place him on administrative leave, calling it 'the right call in the interest of safety'.