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Man gets death threats after video shows him rip down pro-police ribbons

7 years 7 months 3 weeks ago Wednesday, July 27 2016 Jul 27, 2016 July 27, 2016 2:29 PM July 27, 2016 in News
Source: WBRZ

STATEN ISLAND, NY - A hairstylist from Staten Island has been vaulted to infamy when he was captured on video tearing down blue ribbons that were put up to honor police in the area.

A motorist captured the man, identified as Stephen Varvaro, as he was walking down a street ripping down blue ribbons that were knotted around trees and signposts throughout the New York borough.

When the motorists asked Varvaro was taking down the ribbons, he yelled back “Black lives matter!”

You can watch the NSFW language confrontation below:

The Daily Beast reported that Varvaro has been the target of threats that have forced him and his girlfriend to delete their social media accounts now that the video has picked up a viral head of steam.

The man was contrite when he spoke to The Staten Island Advance, claiming he knew what he did was wrong.

“Tearing the ribbons down was the wrong thing to do. It was disrespectful,” said Varvaro during his about face.

The man explained to the publication that he became offended because he felt the blue ribbons were disparaging the Black Lives Matter Movement.

…What I thought they meant was to hell with Black Lives Matter. I assumed, I was hasty, I acted in anger. I didn’t see blue when I saw the blue ribbons, I saw red and I was angry and I lost control,” Varvaro explained.

He’s since fled Staten Island because he said he didn’t feel safe there anymore.

The Daily Beast added that much of the outrage that was thrust upon the hapless hipster emanated from an anonymous NYPD cop forum where many retired members of the force congregate online. Screenshots of Varvaro and his girlfriend’s social media accounts were distributed, and another user posted the address of the hair salon that employs Varvaro. Some people called the business demanding that he be fired. This actually came to pass.

“He’s no longer with us right now,” the owner, who gave only his first name Ted, wrote The Daily Beast. “And everything he’s done and saying has no reflection on us.”

The owner of the salon says he has been forced to offer discounts to counterbalance the blow to goodwill that has come upon his business thanks to the video of his once employee.

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