Logan Rozos is a Black trans undergraduate student at New York University (NYU), who recently delivered a powerful commencement address for the Gallatin School of Individualized Study. In his speech, Rozos condemned the ongoing atrocities in Gaza, highlighting the dire situation where hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost, and children are starving due to restrictions on aid. However, following this act of courage and free speech, NYU administrators have unjustly decided to withhold his diploma.
NYU asserts that Rozos's actions warrant disciplinary measures, yet they fail to specify any rule that Rozos allegedly violated. This raises concerns about the fairness and transparency of the university's decision-making processes.
University administrators have heavily cracked down on pro-Palestine activism amid students' calls to divest from Israel. In January, NYU suspended 13 students and placed 20 more on probation for allegedly participating in a pro-Palestine sit-in, according to reports in NYU's independent student newspaper, Washington Square News. The school also banned nearly 30 members of Law Students for Justice in Palestine from most campus buildings in March, following a protest outside NYU President Linda Mills' office.
On Thursday, May 15 — the day after Rozos' commencement address, and "Nakba Day," the annual observance of the 1948 annexation of Palestinian residents to build what we now know as Israel for gentrifiers of Hebrew descent — dozens of students booed and walked out of Mills' speech during the main NYU graduation ceremony at Yankee Stadium
It appears that NYU's actions are not only an infringement on Rozos's First Amendment rights but also a troubling indication of how voices speaking against human rights violations are being silenced to appease influential donors who support Israel.
Silencing Logan Rozos for condemning war crimes is unjust and detrimental to the values of free expression and academic integrity that NYU should uphold. His bravery in speaking up for those suffering in Gaza should not result in punitive measures. Instead, it should inspire the NYU community to engage in open dialogues and promote a deeper understanding of global issues.
We call on NYU to immediately reinstate Logan Rozos's degree. His voice, and the voices of those he represents, should be heard and respected, not shut down. Sign this petition to demand justice for Logan Rozos and to ensure that NYU stands by its commitment to freedom of speech and human rights advocacy.
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