“Free speech is precious, but often messy, and is vital to the foundation of higher education.
“Hate speech, however, should not be confused with free speech and has no place on our campuses or in our city, our state or our nation.
“The remarks by a student-selected speaker at the CUNY Law School graduation, unfortunately, fall into the category of hate speech as they were a public expression of hate toward people and communities based on their religion, race or political affiliation.
“The Board of Trustees of the City University of New York condemns such hate speech.
“This speech is particularly unacceptable at a ceremony celebrating the achievements of a wide diversity of graduates, and hurtful to the entire CUNY community, which was founded on the principle of equal access and opportunity. CUNY’s commitment to protecting and supporting our students has not wavered throughout our 175-year existence and we cannot and will not condone hateful rhetoric on our campuses.”
The Board of Trustees of the City University of New York
William C. Thompson Jr., Chairperson
Sandra Wilkin, Vice Chairperson
Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, Chancellor
The @CUNY Board of Trustees and Chancellor called the Antisemitic and Anti American graduation address "Hate Speech"
The Dean of @CUNYLaw applauded the speech while sitting on the stage.
Does CUNY stand up to hate or do they clap while it's happening?https://t.co/Ek1pop2HRS https://t.co/OopIpobjxw
— Joel M. Petlin (@Joelmpetlin) May 31, 2023
CUNY'S condemnation is the bare minimum for a speech that was beyond egregious in its wholesale contempt of everything our country holds sacrosanct. The visceral hatred for America, for law enforcement, for our armed forces, hate of and for the very freedoms democracy offers, all… https://t.co/bTGp6uV9DH
— Chaskel Bennett (@ChaskelBennett) May 31, 2023
Too little, too late and only after mass outrage!
Why should we believe you, when this keeps happening over and over and over again!
Also, you know why we can’t believe you? You couldn’t even mention the words “Jewish” or “antisemitism” in your statement!@CUNY @CUNYLaw https://t.co/zWG2C85asK
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) May 31, 2023
It's been almost three weeks since a hate speech was given at the @CUNYLaw graduation ceremony.
This @CUNY statement is not a response to the reprehensible speech. It's a reaction to the publicity that was generated by @nycmayor, @RitchieTorres, @tedcruz & a @nypost front page. https://t.co/SPrs7NuiVw
— Joel M. Petlin (@Joelmpetlin) May 30, 2023
So, @CUNY finally admitted that it was a state sponsored hate speech. What about accountability? Did CUNY staff review these prepared remarks? Why not? What are the consequences for a hateful speaker & for CUNY staff that allowed hate speech at graduation?
We still need answers! https://t.co/JTxIeZmoBG— Council Member Ari Kagan (@CMAriKagan47) May 30, 2023
