Xavier University of Louisiana, an HBCU in New Orleans, became the second school to cancel the United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s address amid the students’ Gaza protests.
The institution reversed course on its choice of a commencement speaker after pressure from students and the community over Thomas-Greenfield’s voting record at the UN.
University President Reynold Verret announced the news in a Wednesday email.
“Everyone’s goal is to have a commencement ceremony that appropriately honors the graduates and their achievements,” Verret wrote in the email, according to WGNO. “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.”
The school initially revealed that Thomas-Greenfield would be the commencement speaker last Sunday….
