University of Alabama students weigh in on President Donald Trump's commencement address
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — President Donald Trump will deliver a commencement address at the University of Alabama on Thursday. This ticketed event for graduating seniors is set to take place inside Coleman Coliseum at 6:30 p.m.
The event was added to the graduation ceremonies already scheduled to take place by the individual colleges May 2 through May 4.
Nick Saban and University President Stuart Bell are also planning to speak at the event.
UA Senior Clara Hurst says she does not plan to attend his commencement address.
'I just feel like my values do not align with his and not something that I want to go to,' Hurst said.
'I just don't want to deal with the hassle,' another student, Stephen Adkins, said. 'Either way, it's cool for a sitting president to come and do a commencement speech at Alabama.'
'I think it's a cool opportunity for students, especially being a graduating senior. It's something that I'll look back on,' Senior Andrew Stovall added.
The UA College Democrats have planned a peaceful protest from 4- 8 p.m. at Snow Hinton Park. The protest will feature former Representative Beto O'Rourke, former Senator Doug Jones and U.S. Senate candidate Kyle Sweetser.
More information, as well as updates, can be found on the UACD's social media pages.
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Riley Mcardle, the Executive Director of the UA Republicans, said he's excited about the president's visit. While he's only a junior, he will get to attend the event.
'First and foremost, I think he should be giving so much honor and praise to our graduates who have worked so hard to get here,' McArdle said, also noting that he would be okay with President Trump discussing his accomplishments.
Braden Vick, President of UACD, said he would not be opposed to a republican commencement speaker as long as they had ties to the University of Alabama.
'But this is Donald Trump,' Vick said. 'This is a guy who has defiled the office of the Presidency throughout his political career. This is a guy who has no real special personal interest in the success of this university, but now he's using it as his playground. We don't exactly take kindly to that around here.'
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