The University of Vermont (UVM) has decided not to have United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield give the commencement speech due to pro-Palestinian protests on campus, as similar protests occur at colleges across the country.
Suresh Garimella, the university’s president, expressed regret that Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield will not be speaking at the upcoming Commencement ceremonies, in a message acquired by The Hill.
“After their years of hard work and commitment to success, they deserve a weekend of ceremony and celebration befitting their accomplishment,” Garmimella continued. “It is with regret that I share that our planned speaker, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, will not be joining us to deliver the Commencement address.”
An Instagram post by UVM’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine celebrated the cancellation, referring to Thomas-Greenfield as a “war criminal.”
Pro-Palestinian protestors across college campuses nationwide have criticized President Biden and his administration for how they have handled the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas during the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Democratic National Committee’s college outreach arm, the College Democrats of America, have also expressed support for the pro-Palestinian protestors and criticized the White House for its approach to the conflict.
“The White House has taken the mistaken route of a bear hug strategy for [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] and a cold shoulder strategy for its own base and all Americans who want to see an end to this war. Each day that Democrats fail to stand united for a permanent ceasefire, two-state solution, and recognition of a Palestinian state, more and more youth find themselves disillusioned with the party,” a statement by the College Democrats reads.
President Biden criticized aspects of some recent pro-Palestinian protests including property damage in prepared remarks at the White House Thursday.
“Destroying property is not a peaceful protest, it’s against the law. Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduation. None of this is a peaceful protest, threatening people, intimidating people,” Biden said.
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protests have erupted across higher education institutions in recent weeks, resulting in numerous arrests and causing several universities, including UVM, to alter their graduation plans.
