A Connecticut teacher specializing in special education has stepped down after a video went viral in which she appeared to threaten violence in relation to the results of the presidential election, provoking significant public outrage.

Annie Dunleavy, a teacher at Chapman Elementary School, was recorded making threats against those who supported President-elect Donald Trump. In the video, she warned that any supporters who tried to “test” her would “end on a stretcher, gone forever,” and urged Trump backers to block her on social media.

Following this incident, she resigned, and local news outlet WTNH reported that she expressed remorse for her statements in the video.

“I was speaking in a moment of heightened emotion and posting it was a mistake,” Dunleavy told WTNH. “The message was misinterpreted; I simply wanted to assert that I wouldn’t let anyone harm me without defending myself.”

Dunleavy’s remarks triggered outrage among local residents in Cheshire, leading Superintendent Jeffrey Solan to state that the district received an overwhelming number of calls and emails from individuals beyond the local community, as reported by WTNH and CTInsider.

Local media indicated that Solan mentioned the video was shared privately on the teacher’s Snapchat account and that she had been placed on temporary leave while an investigation was underway.

YSL News has attempted to contact both Solan and Dunleavy for their insights.

This week, the Cheshire police announced they were “aware” of the viral footage and were looking into the situation. However, on Thursday, they confirmed that Dunleavy would not face any criminal charges, according to NBC Connecticut.

Reactions from the Community and Officials

Parent and Trump supporter Amy Bourdon labeled the video as “a death threat,” as stated by WTNH. “An individual drawing a paycheck from the town has targeted our lives,” she asserted.

Another resident, Lori Barnes, expressed her reservations about enrolling her grandson in the district while Dunleavy remained an employee.

“I won’t entrust him to her care if she is still there,” Barnes remarked. “I cannot forget that video.”

Republican State Senator Rob Sampson from Connecticut condemned the video on Tuesday and sent a letter to Superintendent Solan.

“The gravitas of these comments demands swift action, as this behavior is utterly unacceptable and undermines the community,” read his letter dated November 12. “I believe disciplinary action is necessary to convey that such conduct will not be tolerated in Cheshire Public Schools.”

Superintendent’s Response to Dunleavy’s Resignation

After Dunleavy’s resignation, Solan issued a follow-up statement asserting that her comments do not represent the values of the school district, describing them as “hurtful” and “deeply troubling,” according to WTNH.

He added, “Every student and family deserves to attend our schools without fearing political bias or threats to their safety.”