New York State Senator Kevin Parker responded to a seemingly minor Twitter complaint about him blocking a bike lane by telling the woman to kill herself.
New York State Deputy Communications Director Candice Giove complained that Parker, who represents the 21st District neighborhoods in Brooklyn, had parked his car in a bike lane Tuesday morning. Parker responded with an irrational demand that she kill herself before he offered a weak Twitter apology using his verified account. But less than an hour after the apology, Parker continued his criticism of Giove.
"ICYMI: I got to the bottom of this. The placard is assigned to @SenatorParker. However, the license plate # on the placard does not match the vehicle. So he either used it in another car or gave it to someone to use, both of which are not permitted," Giove tweeted, showing a photo of the offending vehicle.
"Kill yourself!" the Brooklyn Democrat who is frequently seen wearing a bow-tie responded via Twitter.
"Where was @Candicegiove when NYers voted for a #Democratic State Senate & progressive legislation like the Dream Act & CFE funding? That's right, working with the #NOIDC appendage of the GOP. #DreamAct #CFEFunding," Parker continued, appearing to double down on his complaint.
He soon tweeted an apology to Giove Tuesday morning, "I sincerely apologize. I used a poor choice of words. Suicide is a serious thing and should not be made light of." But many social media repliers were not accepting of the apology.
"A poor choice of words? You have to resign," responded one Brooklyn resident. "Now apologize for using your placard to park in a bike lane," another Twitter account replied.
Parker was first elected to the New York State Senate in 2002 and he previously served as the Majority Whip for the Democratic Party. Parker brags on Twitter that he represents the "People's Republic of Brooklyn," including East Flatbush, Prospect Park and Park Slope.
Incoming New York Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins issued a statement condemning the remarks from Parker, who was also arrested for attacking a New York Post photographer in 2009.
"I was disappointed in Senator Parker's tweet. Suicide is a serious issue and should not be joked about in this manner. I am glad that he has apologized," Stewart-Cousins said Tuesday.
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Benjamin Fearnow is a reporter based out of Newsweek's New York City offices. He was previously at CBS and Mediaite ... Read more
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