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NYU withholds diploma of graduate who condemned Gaza war | NYU withholds diploma of graduate who condemned Gaza war |
(about 1 hour later) | |
New York University (NYU) has withheld the diploma of a student who used his graduation speech to accuse the US of supporting "genocide" in Gaza. | New York University (NYU) has withheld the diploma of a student who used his graduation speech to accuse the US of supporting "genocide" in Gaza. |
Undergraduate Logan Rozos told the crowd on Wednesday that he condemned the "atrocities currently happening in Palestine", drawing cheers and some boos. | Undergraduate Logan Rozos told the crowd on Wednesday that he condemned the "atrocities currently happening in Palestine", drawing cheers and some boos. |
An NYU spokesperson accused Mr Rozos of lying about what he had planned to say in the address in order to "express his personal and one-sided political views". | An NYU spokesperson accused Mr Rozos of lying about what he had planned to say in the address in order to "express his personal and one-sided political views". |
Pro-Palestinian advocacy on college campuses has become heavily politicised in the US, as the Trump administration cracks down on what it has called antisemitism at elite institutions, stirring a fraught debate about free speech. | Pro-Palestinian advocacy on college campuses has become heavily politicised in the US, as the Trump administration cracks down on what it has called antisemitism at elite institutions, stirring a fraught debate about free speech. |
NYU said it "strongly denounces" and was "deeply sorry" for Mr Rozos' remarks, adding: "This moment was stolen by someone who abused a privilege that was conferred upon him." | NYU said it "strongly denounces" and was "deeply sorry" for Mr Rozos' remarks, adding: "This moment was stolen by someone who abused a privilege that was conferred upon him." |
The college spokesman, John Beckman, said Mr Rozos' diploma would be withheld while NYU pursued disciplinary action against him. | The college spokesman, John Beckman, said Mr Rozos' diploma would be withheld while NYU pursued disciplinary action against him. |
After being introduced on stage, the undergraduate said he had been "freaking out about this speech", but that he felt compelled to speak out. | After being introduced on stage, the undergraduate said he had been "freaking out about this speech", but that he felt compelled to speak out. |
"The genocide currently occurring is supported politically and military by the United States, is paid for by our tax dollars and has been live-streamed to our phones," he said. | |
"I condemn this genocide and complicity in this genocide," Mr Rozos added in remarks that lasted about two-and-a-half minutes. | "I condemn this genocide and complicity in this genocide," Mr Rozos added in remarks that lasted about two-and-a-half minutes. |
He did not specifically mention Israel, which emphatically denies accusations of genocide in Gaza, or Jewish people. | He did not specifically mention Israel, which emphatically denies accusations of genocide in Gaza, or Jewish people. |
A since-deleted profile of Mr Rozos on NYU's website indicated he studied cultural criticism and political economy at a small liberal arts school within the campus. | A since-deleted profile of Mr Rozos on NYU's website indicated he studied cultural criticism and political economy at a small liberal arts school within the campus. |
In another online profile, Mr Rozos is described as an "actor, artist, and gay Black trans man". | In another online profile, Mr Rozos is described as an "actor, artist, and gay Black trans man". |
NYU is one of 10 universities being investigated by Trump's antisemitism taskforce for incidents on campus since the Israel-Gaza war began in October 2023. | NYU is one of 10 universities being investigated by Trump's antisemitism taskforce for incidents on campus since the Israel-Gaza war began in October 2023. |
NYU was not, however, among 60 universities that were sent letters by the Department of Education warning of "enforcement action" if it did not protect Jewish students. | |
The US president's son, Barron, is a student at NYU, enrolled at its Stern School of Business. | |
Arguably the university under the most pressure from the administration is America's oldest, Harvard. | Arguably the university under the most pressure from the administration is America's oldest, Harvard. |
Trump has cut more than $2.6bn (£2bn) in funding, a decision that the university argues will hamper critical disease research. | Trump has cut more than $2.6bn (£2bn) in funding, a decision that the university argues will hamper critical disease research. |
Harvard has filed a lawsuit claiming the action is unlawful. It has also rejected a list of demands that the Trump administration said was designed to curb alleged discrimination. | |
Separately, several foreign students who took part in pro-Palestinian activism on US campuses have been detained in recent months. | Separately, several foreign students who took part in pro-Palestinian activism on US campuses have been detained in recent months. |
The Trump administration alleges they have expressed support for Hamas, which the US, EU and UK designates as a terrorist group, and called for their deportation. | The Trump administration alleges they have expressed support for Hamas, which the US, EU and UK designates as a terrorist group, and called for their deportation. |
Lawyers for the students say they are exercising their right to free speech, accusing the government of "open repression of student activism and political speech". | Lawyers for the students say they are exercising their right to free speech, accusing the government of "open repression of student activism and political speech". |
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