Condoleezza Rice on Saturday declined an invitation to speak at Rutgers University's commencement ceremony after some students and faculty protested against the former secretary of state's role in the Iraq war.
George W. Bush's national security advisor said in a Facebook post that the invitation to speak at the ceremony 'has become a distraction for the university community at this very special time.'
She said her experience as a professor at Stanford University allows her to 'understand and embrace the purpose of the commencement ceremony' and that she is 'simply unwilling to detract from it in any way.'
Rutgers president Robert Barchi had resisted calls to disinvite Rice after the organized sit-ins, according to the AP.
Rice was slated to receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, according to a press release from Rutgers.
Brendan Buck, House Speaker John Boehner's press secretary, tweeted that he is 'embarrassed' by the actions of Rutgers students. Jon Favreau, the former chief speech writer for President Barack Obama, tweeted back in agreement.
@BrendanBuck no fan of Bush policies, but I completely agree
- Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) May 3, 2014
First lady Michelle Obama caused a stir last month when she planned on attending a high school graduation in Topeka, Kansas. Parents were upset by the prospect of a high-profile speaker, who they argued would distract from the students' achievements and limit ticket availability for family members. She rescheduled to speak on another day.
from Google News http://#
via IFTTT
0 Response to "Condoleezza Rice backs out of Rutgers ceremony"
Posting Komentar