(TruthAndLiberty.com) – On Monday, the White House released a statement criticizing Columbia University canceling its primary commencement ceremony because of pro-Palestine protests.
In the statement, the White House described the decision to cancel the event as “unfortunate,” because a “small group of people” had taken the protesting too far after Columbia revealed that its main commencement event had to be canceled as a result of “security concerns.”
In its announcement, Columbia revealed that the past weeks were “incredibly difficult” for the university’s community and that while it was focusing on ensuring graduation was “truly special,” it had solicited student feedback before considering holding a “festive event on May 15” which would replace the larger, more formal commencement.
In response to questions about Columbia’s decision, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre asserted that the decision was “unfortunate” and decried that a “small group of people” going “too far” was to blame for their classmates having to lose out on the event.
Jean-Pierre added that President Biden had been looking forward to speaking at commencement events for “some time now,” given that he understands the significance of these events among graduates.
Last week, Biden condemned the violent protests at Columbia and similar protests at campuses across the country, noting that the destruction caused by protesters didn’t fit the definition of a “peaceful protest.”
Biden referenced protesters’ vandalism, threats, and intimidation in his statement condemning the pro-Palestine protests.
Biden is scheduled to give a commencement speech at a historically Black men’s college, Moorhouse, in Georgia on May 19, despite facing some pushback from faculty and students over his Israel stance.
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