Fastexy Exchange:Morehouse College to cancel commencement if President Joe Biden's speech is disrupted

2025-04-29 05:04:21source:Kacper Sobieskicategory:reviews

If anyone interferes with President Joe Biden’s commencement speech at Morehouse College Sunday,Fastexy Exchange all ceremonies will be canceled “on the spot," David A. Thomas, college president, told CNN Thursday.

Thomas said the school will not allow “disruptive behavior that prevents the ceremony or services from proceeding in a manner that those in attendance can partake and enjoy.”  

Commencement ceremonies at colleges and universities across the country have been interrupted or modified in recent weeks, prompting schools to move celebrations off campus over student-led protests in response to the Israel-Hamas war, according to USA TODAY.

Ceremonies will be “ceased” if any disruptive behavior escalates, that includes any “prolonged shouting down” while the president speaks. Thomas said he also won't allow police to remove students from the ceremony in zip ties.  "I will cease the ceremonies on the spot If we were to reach that position," he said.

“I would rather be the first president to have a failed commencement than to say you are less important than the ceremonies of this institution,” Thomas told CNN.

College can ‘hold tensions,’ only allowing silent protests

The only thing Thomas will not stand for on commencement day, or any other day is the demonstration of “hate speech,” calling for violence against another group or individuals, he shared.

Morehouse College is a place that “can hold” tensions. Thomas said the school is a place that can support different points of view and schools of thought. 

“We need some place in this country that can hold the tensions that threaten to divide us … We look around some of the most venerable institutions of higher education have canceled commencement, canceled valedictorian speakers because of their having spoken out and exercised their rights to free speech," Thomas told CNN. 

Which is why Morehouse College will allow students to protest. Silently. 

“As long as you don’t conduct yourselves in a way that deprives others from being able to participate, consume and celebrate this moment,” Thomas told CNN. “You want to walk across the stage in a piece of garment that identifies your moral connection to either side of this conflict because we also have Jewish students here, you can do that.”

More:reviews

Recommend

Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes

Friday the 13th might be unlucky for many people, but Mega Millions players could be lucky in tonigh

Voters in California city reject measure allowing noncitizens to vote in local races

Follow AP’s coverage of the election and what happens next. SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — Voters in a

Here's what 3 toys were inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame this year

Three more toys are being recognized for their innovation and longevity.The Strong National Museum o