Current:Home > MyXavier University cancels UN ambassador’s commencement speech after student outcry -ProfitClass
Xavier University cancels UN ambassador’s commencement speech after student outcry
View
Date:2025-04-12 11:08:15
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Xavier University of Louisiana has reversed course and canceled Saturday’s planned commencement address by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield after news of her appearance sparked outrage among some students.
University President Reynold Verret announced the decision in an email Wednesday to faculty, staff and students.
“Everyone’s goal is to have a commencement ceremony that appropriately honors the graduates and their achievements,” Verret wrote. “The vast majority of students want to be able to enjoy a commencement ceremony free of disruptions. Therefore, we will not be moving forward with the commencement speaker as originally planned.”
Students were outraged over Thomas-Greenfield’s invitation to speak because of their opposition to the past positions by the U.S. on the war in Gaza. Before presenting a March resolution to the U.N.’s Security Council that called for an “immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza,” the U.S. vetoed three other cease-fire resolutions proposed by other countries.
In explaining one veto, Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S. could not support cease-fire resolutions that do not mention Israel’s right to self-defense; in explaining another, she said the U.S. could not support a cease-fire until Hamas freed hostages it took during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
Verret called the cancellation a “regrettable conclusion” and said the decision was made in partnership with the ambassador.
Thomas-Greenfield did not comment on the decision. She faced similar backlash at the University of Vermont, where she was set to deliver the commencement address May 19. Pro-Palestinian student protesters called for the school to cancel her speech, citing the vetoed cease-fire resolutions. The school announced Friday that she would not be speaking.
Xavier Student Government Association President Chase Patterson, who had written a letter to administrators calling on them to reconsider their commencement choice, applauded Verret’s decision to listen to their concerns.
“We are grateful that President Verret actually listened to our call,” Patterson told The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. “This does make me optimistic that students will continue to support us and we will continue to support them and that the administration will continue to listen to us.”
Though many students and others spoke out against the invitation, Verret said many still believe that Thomas-Greenfield’s contribution to the ceremony would have been meaningful, the newspaper reported.
“We look forward to welcoming the ambassador to campus in the future to engage with our students and faculty in substantive conversations,” he said.
The graduation ceremony is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday at the university’s Convocation Center. Verret did not say whether there will be a new speaker to fill Thomas-Greenfield’s spot.
veryGood! (664)
Related
- Connie Chiume, Black Panther Actress, Dead at 72: Lupita Nyong'o and More Pay Tribute
- Russia is waging a shadow war on the West that needs a collective response, Estonian leader says
- Reese Witherspoon and Gwyneth Paltrow Support Jennifer Garner After She Cries at Daughter's Graduation
- Jailed Guatemalan journalist to AP: ‘I can defend myself, because I am innocent’
- RFK Jr. grilled again about moving to California while listing New York address on ballot petition
- Using AI, Mastercard expects to find compromised cards quicker, before they get used by criminals
- Victims of UK’s infected blood scandal to start receiving final compensation payments this year
- Lauryn Hill’s classic ‘Miseducation’ album tops Apple Music’s list of best albums of all time
- Billy Bean was an LGBTQ advocate and one of baseball's great heroes
- China is accelerating the forced urbanization of rural Tibetans, rights group says
Ranking
- FBI: California woman brought sword, whip and other weapons into Capitol during Jan. 6 riot
- Former model sues Sean 'Diddy' Combs, claims he drugged, sexually assaulted her in 2003
- New cars in California could alert drivers for breaking the speed limit
- EU reprimands Kosovo’s move to close down Serb bank branches over the use of the dinar currency
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Victims of UK’s infected blood scandal to start receiving final compensation payments this year
- Israel’s block of AP transmission shows how ambiguity in law could restrict war coverage
- Russian general who criticized equipment shortages in Ukraine is arrested on bribery charges
Recommendation
FBI: California woman brought sword, whip and other weapons into Capitol during Jan. 6 riot
EU reprimands Kosovo’s move to close down Serb bank branches over the use of the dinar currency
Former Trump adviser and ambassadors met with Netanyahu as Gaza war strains US-Israel ties
Protesters against war in Gaza interrupt Blinken repeatedly in the Senate
A New York Appellate Court Rejects a Broad Application of the State’s Green Amendment
Kathryn Dennis of 'Southern Charm' arrested on suspicion of DUI after 3-car collision
Is McDonald's nixing free refills? Here's what to know as chain phases out self-serve drink machines
More endangered Florida panthers have died in 2024 so far than all of last year: These roadkills are heartbreaking