Louisiana Xavier University, an HBCU in New Orleans, became the second school to cancel a speech by United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield amid student protests in Gaza.
The university reversed course on its selection of commencement speaker after pressure from students and the community over Thomas Greenfield’s voting record at the United Nations.
University President Reynold Verrett announced the news in an email Wednesday.
“Everyone’s goal is to have a commencement ceremony that appropriately honors our graduates and their accomplishments,” Verrett wrote in an email. W.G.N.O.. “The majority of students want to be able to enjoy their graduation ceremony without disruption. Therefore, we will not proceed with the commencement address as originally planned.”
The school was initially revealed Thomas Greenfield was scheduled to be the commencement speaker last Sunday. Following news of Sunday’s speaker lineup, nearly 1,800 people signed a petition calling for a new commencement speaker.
“Ambassador Thomas Greenfield has repeatedly voted against a ceasefire in Gaza, resulting in the destruction of all 13 universities in Gaza, the loss of more than 30,000 lives in violence, and the destruction of thousands more. It remained in the rubble, resulting in the continuation of the genocide in Gaza.” petition Say. “Palestinians in Gaza draw on the experiences of their brothers and sisters in America during the era of segregation.”
A student-led petition called on the university to invite a commencement speaker who “represents” the school’s mission and “end the politicization of graduation.”
Louisiana HBCU becomes the second school to make this decision, following the University of Vermont (UVM).
UVM President Suresh Garimella announced the decision in an email to the university community.
“We regret to inform you that Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who was scheduled to speak, will not be attending the commencement address,” Garimella said in an email.
Pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses across the country have expressed displeasure with President Biden and his administration’s response to the Israeli-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis affecting Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The Hill reached out to Xavier University in Louisiana.
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