NYU make savage move after student condemns 'genocide' in commencement speech
New York University has denied a diploma to the student who used a graduation speech to criticize Israel and condemn the 'genocide' in Gaza.
Logan Rozos, 24, gave the controversial remarks at NYU's Gallatin School commencement ceremony on Wednesday.
'My moral and political commitments guide me to say that the only thing that is appropriate to say in this time, and to a group this large, is a recognition of the atrocities currently happening in Palestine,' the graduate said to roaring applause.
'The genocide currently occurring is supported politically and militarily by the United States, is paid for by our tax dollars, and has been live-streamed to our phones for the past 18 months... I condemn this genocide and complicity in this genocide.'
The speech went viral online and sparked waves of backlash from critics demanding the school take action.
Universities across the country have faced tremendous pressure to crack down on pro-Palestinian speech or risk funding cuts from President Donald Trump 's administration.
The university issued a statement apologizing for the speech and vowed to punish Rozos by withholding his diploma.
'He lied about the speech he was going to deliver and violated the commitment he made to comply with our rules. The University is withholding his diploma while we pursue disciplinary actions,' spokesman John Beckman said.
'NYU strongly denounces the choice by a student at the Gallatin School's graduation today—one of over 20 school graduation ceremonies across our campus—to misuse his role as student speaker to express his personal and one-sided political views.
'NYU is deeply sorry that the audience was subjected to these remarks and that this moment was stolen by someone who abused a privilege that was conferred upon him.'
Fellow students selected Rozos, an actor and member of the Gallatin Theater Troupe, to deliver the liberal art program's address.
In his online biography, Rozos described himself as 'an actor, artist and gay Black trans man.'
His speech was condemned by anti-Semitism groups and some lawmakers who warned that 'actions have consequences.'
'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,' the Anti-Defamation League of New York and New Jersey said.
'We are thankful to the NYU administration for their strong condemnation and their pursuit of disciplinary action.'
Florida Democrat Rep. Jared Moskowitz criticized Rozos during a news panel on CNN Thursday.
'He lied to the university. Second of all, he lied to everyone listening. There's no genocide going on in Israel. There is a war, it's unfortunate, and there are people in harm's way because of what Hamas did,' Moskowitz said.
'But at the end of the day, that's up to the university whether they give him his diploma or not. You know, in fact, they can give him his diploma, it's not going to matter. Good luck getting a job. That was a stupid, selfish thing, ruined the ceremony for a lot of families.'
Rozos supporters praised him for using the platform to speak out and have demanded the school give him his diploma.
'We commend Logan for using this opportunity to demand an end to the bloodshed in Gaza,' said the Council on American-Islamic Relations New York Executive Director, Afaf Nasher.
'In a world where the word 'Palestine' has become wrongfully criminalized, it is individuals like Logan who keep Palestine in our consciousness and at the forefront of our actions.
'We demand that NYU formally release Logan's diploma, which he rightfully earned, and suspend any disciplinary proceedings against him.'
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