The University of New York (NYU) reported that it retained the diploma of a student who condemned genocide in Gaza, during a graduation speech on Wednesday (14)-an action that the institution classified as a violation of the student’s commitment to comply with the university’s rules.
Logan Rozos told the members of his class that “when searching in my heart today to address all of you … The only thing appropriate to say right now and for such a large group is a recognition of the atrocities that currently happen in Palestine.”
The Nyu “vehemently condemned” “the choice made by a student in the graduation of the Gallatin School,” said University spokesman John Beckman in a statement after Wednesday’s ceremony.
The season of graduations in the United States campuses occurs amid the continuous repression of the Trump administration against students who participate in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Earlier this year, the NYU was among the institutions cited by the Justice Department as “experienced anti -Semitism incidents.”
In his speech, Rozos repeatedly referred to Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide,” which he claimed to be “politically and militarily” supported by the US and “paid with our taxes.”
According to him, his observations intended to “speak for all people of conscience, all the people who feel the moral damage of this atrocity.”
Applause broke out of the crowd when the undergraduate first mentioned Gaza, and some university teachers sitting behind him, applauded briefly.
Some boos could also be heard in the crowd.
Without naming Rozos, Beckman stated that the speaker “He lied about his speech and violated his commitment to comply with our rules.”
“The university is retreating its diploma while we seek disciplinary actions,” the spokesman continued, adding that the school is “deeply sorry that the public has been subjected to these observations and that this moment was stolen by someone who abused a privilege conferred upon him.”
THE CNN He tried to contact Rozos and Nyu for more details.
His student biography was no longer on the Gallatin website on Thursday night (15).
Training in cultural criticism and political economy
The student graduated in cultural criticism and political economy and was a member of the Gallatin Theater Troupe, according to an archived version of the Gallatin website. He was selected by his colleagues to make the program’s graduation speech, said the Associated Press.
The graduation ceremony for the entire NYU was held on Thursday (8).
A pro-Israel group says it has provided the US a list of protesters to deport, alarming student supporters.
The Anti-Difamation League condemned what it described as “divisive and false comments about the current Israel/Hamas War” and thanked the NYU “for its strong condemnation and search for disciplinary action”, according to a statement on social network X.
We are Appalled to Hear That During @Nyuniversity Graduation A Student Speaker Altered Their Approved Speech to Make Divisive and False Comments About the Current Israel/Hamas War. We are Thankful to the Nyu Administration for Their Strong Condemnation and Their Pursuit of…
– Adl New York / New Jersey (@adl_nynj) May 15, 2025
At the same time, the Council of Islamic American Relations defended the “pro-passing and anti-genocide graduation discourse” and asked Nyu to release the speaker’s diploma.
The Council described the disciplinary actions ongoing against those who participate in pro-Palestinian protests as a “betrayal of American freedoms and the American people”, as noted in X.
(1/3) The New York Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair-Ny) Today Called on New York University (NYU) To Release The Degree with a Student Over Histinian, Anti-Genocide Commencement Address.https://t.co/at9arm4JBJ
– Fall New York (@cairnewyork) May 15, 2025
Last year, students and teachers were arrested at NYU during protests at universities across the country.
The institution opened more than 180 disciplinary proceedings against students and teachers linked to demonstrations about the war in Gaza after last year’s protests, according to an investigation by the Washington Square News student newspaper.
Israel began his war in Gaza after the Hamas attack in October 2023, in which militants killed 1,200 people and held 251 hostages.
According to figures provided by the Ministry of Health in Gaza, the subsequent Israeli military campaign killed more than 53,000 Palestinians.
The ministry does not differentiate civil and militants.
In January, the Israeli army said it had killed 20mil members of Hamas since October 7.
This content was originally published in NYU retains a student diploma after speech about Gaza during graduation on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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