DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Can Your Investment Portfolio Reflect Your Values?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Ron Lieber | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The protests roiling college campuses are filled with all sorts of demands, but many of them have one thing in common: money. Many pro-Palestinian protesters want their school’s endowments to pull money from investments in companies that have financial ties to Israel. We all want to live our values and have our colleges, employers and communities do so, too. We saw similar protests in the 1970s and ’80s with South Africa and in the continuing debate over climate change. Students, especially, can learn a lot about investing, governance and complexity through trying to influence their schools.

Organizations: South Locations: Israel, South Africa, Gaza

☆ Opinion | The Harsh Crackdown on College Protests Is a Very Dangerous Mistake
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Zeynep Tufekci | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It was the early 2000s, and I had recently moved from Turkey to study at the University of Texas. “This is what a police state looks like!” they started chanting. Turkey was still emerging from the long shadow of the 1980 coup. Even a whiff of disruption could get Istanbul shut down, with armored vehicles blocking major roads. Trust me, I said, this is not what a police state looks like.

Organizations: State Capitol, University of Texas Locations: Austin , Texas, Turkey, Istanbul

☆ Universities Anticipate Disruptions to Graduation Ceremonies
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Victoria Kim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

The virtual meeting was attended by several hundred members of the Senate, which includes all faculty members who meet certain criteria. A vote of no confidence in Mr. Block would have been the harsher of the two measures. Mr. Block, 75, did not comment on the resolutions on Friday. Medical school faculty members described hearing from medical students and residents who had been attacked as they tried to treat injured protesters. will join a list of universities whose faculty and staff have united with protesters to rebuke their administrators’ handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Persons: Counterprotesters, Gene Block, ”, Carlos Santos, U.C.L.A, Block, Tom Jackson Jr, counterprotesters, Mark Abramson, “, Matt Barreto, Mr, Barreto Organizations: Senate, University of California, Legislative Assembly, Luskin School of Public Affairs, Medical, University of Southern, The University Senate, California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, Police, California, Patrol, The New York Times, Jewish Federation Los Angeles Locations: U.C.L.A, Los Angeles, University of Southern California

☆ Joost Klein: Eurovision disqualifies Dutch act over incident involving female crew member
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Matt Wells | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Malmo CNN —The Eurovision Song Contest was thrown into fresh turmoil Saturday when organizers disqualified the Dutch entrant hours before the grand final for a backstage incident involving a female crew member. “Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s Semi Final. While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest,” the EBU said. The EBU said the disqualification of Klein did not involve any other performer or member another country’s delegation. Tensions brew in Malmo ahead of finalThe alleged incident involving Klein happened on Thursday evening after the second semi-final, the EBU said.

Persons: Joost Klein, ”, Klein’s, AVROTROS, Klein, Eden Golan, Israel, Switzerland’s Nemo, France’s, Alyona, Jerry Heil, Golan Organizations: Malmo CNN, European Broadcasting Union, Swedish Police Authority, CNN, Malmo Arena, EBU, Security, RAI, Croatia, Israel Locations: Malmo, Sweden, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Gaza

☆ In 1968, protests forced Columbia University to change graduation. Here’s what happened next.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Chelsea Bailey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Columbia University’s graduating class of 1968 was no stranger to protests. Graffiti on a blackboard at some point after protests began on April 23, 1968 at Columbia University in New York. Activist Mark Rudd, center, president of Students for a Democratic Society, addresses students at Columbia University on May 3, 1968. Students supporting the Columbia University sit-in and counter-demonstrators engage in a short-lived free-for-all outside Low Library at Columbia University on April 29, 1968. Although it took Columbia University years to recover and reestablish trust between the administration and the student body, several key changes emerged after the 1968 protests.

Persons: Dr, Martin Luther King Jr, Grayson Kirk, John the Divine, Neal Boenzi, Kirk, ”, Mark Rudd, King’s, – Kirk, Richard Hofstadter, Hofstadter, ” Hofstadter, Stephen Smale, University's Organizations: CNN, Columbia, Cathedral, St, Columbia University, New York Times, US Marine Corps, Columbia Spectator, Democratic Society, Hulton, Institute for Defense, Spectator, Bettmann, Morningside, Sun, Hamilton Hall, Police, AP, New York City Police Department, Low Library, University Senate, University Locations: Vietnam, Gaza, New York, Columbia, Harlem, Morningside, Bettmann, Berkeley

Orleck and Tamari are among at least 50 professors arrested at campus protests across the country, according to a CNN review of police records, court filings, and news reports. (Since April 18, more than 2,400 students have been arrested amid protests on more than 50 campuses.) Officials from several universities where professors were arrested in connection with recent protests declined to comment on individual cases. All the professors, Blair said, were “expecting to get arrested.” Though Blair himself was not arrested, at least four other UCLA professors were that day. “I want to say some of my colleagues, particularly at Emory and Washington University, were treated much more brutally.

Persons: Orleck, whiplash, Steve Tamari, Louis, Tamari, “, Caroline Fohlin’s, Fohlin, Gregory Pflugfelder, Isaac Kamola, Alex Kent, ”, Kamola, “ There’s, Gregory Fenves, Fenves, Emory, Carol Folt, Andrew Guzman, Minouche Shafik, Joseph Howley, Graeme Blair, Blair, ‘, ” Orleck, she’d “, they’re, Sian Leah Beilock, WMUR, ” Tamari, Mo, Christine Tannous, Andrew Martin, hasn’t, ‘ Don’t, “ Don’t, ” Michael Allen, ” Allen, Allen, I’m, St . Louis, Michael Allen “, Chancellor Martin, Bikrum Gill, Gill, ” Gill, it’s Organizations: CNN, Dartmouth College, Washington University, Palestinian, Emory University, Columbia University, New York Times, American Association of University, ’ Center, Defense, Faculty of Columbia University, Getty, Emory, University of Southern, USC, Columbia, UCLA, Justice, Green, Hanover Police Department, Police, Louis Post, AP Protesters, Boeing Company, Israel Defense Forces, University, Desirée, Virginia Tech Locations: New Hampshire, St, Palestinian American, Atlanta, New York, Columbia’s, Palestine, Gaza, Los, Los Angeles, Dartmouth, Emory, Palestinian, American, Louis , Missouri, Missouri, Illinois, Louis, Washington, Israel, St .

☆ Macklemore calls out President Joe Biden with viral pro-Palestine protest song called 'Hind's Hall'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Eve Crosbie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Rapper Macklemore has released a pro-Palestine protest song called "Hind's Hall." Elsewhere in the song, Macklemore takes aim at Biden and the feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. AdvertisementMacklemore has called for a cease-fire in Gaza and condemned continuing US aid to Israel in his new song, "Hind's Hall." The song has gone viral on social media with 37 million views on X, 1.7 million views on YouTube, and 2.9 million likes on Instagram. AdvertisementIn the opening bars of his new song, Macklemore praises college students across the US who are protesting Israel's war in Gaza.

Persons: Macklemore, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, —, Hind Rajab, Joe Biden, Biden, freedom's, Gina Wetzler, Annie Lennox Organizations: Palestine, Columbia University, Biden, Service, Hamilton Hall, Protesters, YouTube, United Nations Relief, Works Agency for Palestine Refugees Locations: Gaza, Israel, Palestine, Hamilton Hall, Columbia, Seattle, Dua Lipa, East

☆ 50,000 protest Georgia’s foreign agent bill as US sounds alarm over ‘Kremlin-style’ law
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —About 50,000 opponents of a “foreign agents” bill marched peacefully in heavy rain through the Georgian capital on Saturday, after the United States said the country had to choose between the “Kremlin-style” law and the people’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. “Georgian parliamentarians face a critical choice – whether to support the Georgian people’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations or pass a Kremlin-style foreign agents’ law that runs counter to democratic values,” he said. Demonstrators protest against the foreign agents bill in Tbilisi, Georgia, on May 11, 2024. Georgian Dream says the bill will promote transparency and Georgian national sovereignty. Demonstrators protest against the foreign agents bill in Tbilisi, Georgia, on May 11, 2024.

Persons: “, ”, Jake Sullivan, Irakli Gedenidze, Nino, Vladimir Putin’s, Reuters Bidzina, Sullivan Organizations: CNN, House, Georgian, European, Reuters, Union, Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin, European Union, EU, NATO Locations: States, backsliding, Georgia, European Union, Tbilisi , Georgia, “, Russia, Europe, ”, Georgian, Tbilisi, United States

At the University of California, Berkeley, hundreds of soon-to-be graduates rose from their seats in protest, chanting and disrupting their commencement. Glenn Youngkin’s speech. At the University of Wisconsin, a handful of graduates stood with their backs to their chancellor as she spoke. After weeks of tumult on college campuses over pro-Palestinian protests, many administrators prepared themselves for disruptions at graduations on Saturday. Anticipating possible disruptions, university administrators had increased their security or taken various measures, including dismantling encampments, setting aside free speech zones, canceling student speeches and issuing admission tickets.

Persons: Glenn Youngkin’s, Berkeley Organizations: University of California, Virginia Commonwealth University, Gov, University of Wisconsin, The University of Wisconsin Locations: Berkeley, U.C

☆ Anti-government protests demand release of Gaza hostages ahead of Israel’s Memorial Day
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Eugenia Yosef | Mohammed Tawfeeq | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Protesters took to the streets of several cities across Israel on Saturday, demanding the release of all hostages held in Gaza ahead of Israel’s Memorial Day. Families of hostages held in Gaza also took part in anti-government protests, including in Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Rehovot, and Haifa. Many waved Israeli flags and held up signs with images of the Israeli hostages, calling on the government to bring them home alive. Israeli mounted police deploy during a rally calling for the release of hostages held in Gaza outside the defense ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv on May 11, 2024. “The UK government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Yael Adar, Tamir Adar, Tamir, ” Adar, Jack Guez, Hagit Chen, Itay Chen, “, ” Chen, Abu Obaida, Popplewell, ” Obaida, Kibbutz, Channah Peri, brother Roi Organizations: CNN — Protesters, Israel Defense Forces, Getty, Al, Brigades, Minister’s, CNN, United Locations: Israel, Gaza, Israel’s, Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Rehovot, Haifa, AFP, Kibbutz Nirim, Israeli

☆ Switzerland wins Eurovision after politically charged song contest upstaged by Israel controversy
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Switzerland’s Nemo won a chaotic and politically fraught Eurovision Song Contest, triumphing in a competition in Sweden that was upstaged by controversy over the presence of Israel. But organizers the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) sharply defended Israel’s presence, and insisted the contest is non-political – a line that became increasingly untenable as artists, broadcasters and fans clashed over the presence of Israel’s singer Eden Golan. Ultimately a competitor was disqualified, just hours before the event – the Dutch contestant Joost Klein, who was kicked out of the final after an “incident” backstage. Ireland’s Bambie Thug told CNN in the build-up to the event that it was “the wrong decision” not to exclude Israel, as Russia had been two years ago. But for all the celebratory scenes that closed the show, the EBU will be relieved to see a rocky week conclude.

Persons: Switzerland’s Nemo, Eden Golan, Joost Klein, Ireland’s Bambie Thug, ”, … Organizations: CNN, Israel’s, Malmo, Eurovision, Protesters, European Broadcasting Union Locations: Sweden, Israel, Gaza, Russia, Swedish

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, looming Rafah invasion, Israel Eurovision participation
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Police face pro-Palestinian protesters in central Malmo during the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Malmo Arena, Sweden, on May 9. More than 150 million people around the world will watch Saturday's Eurovision final on TV, and around 15,000 fans will gather inside the Malmo Arena. Those protesting or boycotting the song contest say it is “artwashing” the conflict; others defend Israel’s inclusion, insisting the contest should not be dragged into geopolitics. And they are leading to perhaps the tensest three minutes in the contest’s history, when Israel’s competitor, Eden Golan, performs live. “I would imagine the scale of it in Malmo would be bigger than anything we’ve ever seen before.”Read the full analysis.

Persons: Johan Nilsson, ” Paul Jordan, ”, Weeks, Eden Golan, ” Jordan, “ Organizations: Malmo Arena, Getty, Music, Malmo, Eurovision, CNN Locations: Malmo, Sweden, AFP, Swedish, Gaza, Israel

Police confront environmental activists in a forest near the Tesla Gigafactory electric car factory near Gruenheide, Germany, May 10, 2024. Climate protesters angry about Tesla's plans to expand its Berlin-Brandenburg Gigafactory in Germany tried to break into the plant on Friday, according to a statement from local police. "Multiple unauthorized people are trying to enter the ground of the Tesla factory," Brandenburg police said via X Friday. "The situation is dynamic," a Brandenburg police spokesperson told CNBC Friday, adding that there have been multiple roadblocks in the area due to the demonstrations. A Tesla spokesperson was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC.

Persons: Tesla Organizations: Brandenburg, CNBC Locations: Gruenheide, Germany, Berlin, Brandenburg

☆ Protesters attempt to storm Tesla’s factory in Germany
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —As many as 800 activists gathered outside Tesla’s factory near Berlin Friday to protest its expansion plans, and some of them clashed with police as they attempted to break into the plant. According to Reuters, some of the protesters attempted to storm the factory. Police officers stand in front of activists protesting against the expansion of the Tesla factory near Berlin, Germany on May 10, 2024. Christian Mang/ReutersTesla shut the factory Friday to all employees in anticipation of crowds gathering outside in protest against the planned expansion. A police officer tries to push back protesters running toward the Tesla factory near Berlin on May 10, 2024.

Persons: Ole Becker, “, …, Elon Musk, ”, Christian Mang, Tesla Organizations: London CNN, Reuters, CNN, Police, RTL, Reuters Police Locations: Tesla’s, Berlin, German, Brandenburg, Europe, Germany

United Nations CNN —A United Nations resolution in support of Palestinian membership passed with overwhelming support on Friday, and granted new privileges to the Palestinian Authority in its current capacity as a non-member observer state. Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour at the UN in New York City on May 10, 2024. Eduardo Munoz/ReutersIn remarks before the vote, Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour spoke passionately about the plight of Palestinians in wartorn Gaza. Only member states can vote, but the Palestinian Authority can now be seated among member states in alphabetical order; submit and introduce proposals and amendments; and co-sponsor proposals and amendments. In September 2011, the Palestinian Authority failed to win UN recognition as an independent member state.

Persons: “, ”, United Nations Riyad Mansour, Eduardo Munoz, Riyad Mansour, ” Mansour, Israel Katz, Mansour, United Nations Robert Wood, Wood, United Nations Gilad Erdan, Charly Triballeau, Gilad Erdan, ” Erdan, Farhan Haq, ” Haq Organizations: United Nations CNN, Nations, Palestinian Authority, United Arab, United Nations, Palestinian, UN, Reuters, Columbia University, Authority, Security, US, Assembly, Getty Locations: Hungary, Argentina, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Israel, United States, United Arab Emirates, The State, Palestine, United, New York City, Gaza, Rafah, AFP, New York

☆ Just Stop Oil supporters, including 82-year-old priest, smash glass surrounding Britain’s historic Magna Carta
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Catherine Nicholls | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —Two supporters of the climate activism group Just Stop Oil have smashed the glass protecting the Magna Carta, an iconic British manuscript from the 13th century, on Friday. The protesters targeted the protective enclosure around the historic Magna Carta document with a hammer and chisel. Just Stop OilThe British Library announced on X that its Treasures Gallery, where the Magna Carta is displayed, was temporarily closed on Friday morning. “Instead of acting, our dysfunctional government is like the three monkeys: ‘see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing,’” protester Judy Bruce said. “We must get off our addiction to oil and gas by 2030 – starting now.”

Persons: Dr, Sue Parfitt, Judy Bruce, “, ”, ” Parfitt, ’, – Organizations: London CNN —, Magna Carta, British Library, British, Library’s Security, London’s Metropolitan Police, CNN, United Kingdom’s Locations: London, London’s

☆ After Student Encampment Ends, New School Professors Set Up Their Own
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Lola Fadulu | Julian Roberts-Grmela | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Faculty members at The New School in Manhattan this week set up what may be the first professor-led pro-Palestinian encampment on a college campus since the Israel-Hamas war has prompted waves of protests at schools across the country. The New School’s urban campus in Greenwich Village lacks the open spaces and green lawns of other universities that have been the site of protest encampments, so the professors set up their camp inside the lobby of a university building on Fifth Avenue. On Thursday afternoon, eight tents were visible on the same spot where some of the school’s students had previously set up a lobby encampment for several days. The university called in the police last week to remove it and arrest the student protesters.

Organizations: The New School Locations: Manhattan, Israel, Greenwich

University commencement season in New York City starts on Friday, in a climate that is anything but normal. At N.Y.U., dozens of graduate student workers are threatening to withhold grades if the university does not remove police officers from campus. Nemat Shafik, Columbia’s president, announced on Monday that the school was canceling its main commencement ceremony, largely for security reasons. will hold its large commencement ceremony at Yankee Stadium next Wednesday. The New School will hold its commencement at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens next Friday.

Persons: Nemat, Shafik, ”, Zohar Ford, Dr, “, ” “ Organizations: University, Fashion Institute of Technology, City College, Fordham University, The New School and Columbia, Columbia, School of Professional, School of Social, Yankee, New, Louis Armstrong, Low Library, Hamilton Hall, Financial Times Locations: New York City, Israel, N.Y.U, Gaza, Queens, Morningside, Hamilton, “, Columbia

CNN —Pro-Palestinian encampments were cleared from at least three college campuses early Friday, marking some of the latest examples of schools using law enforcement to respond to demonstrations that have popped up across the country in recent weeks. Police begin dismantling protest encampment at University of Pennsylvania: Police ordered protesters to leave their encampment early Friday morning. Signs and flags are seen at a pro-Palestinian encampment on the lawn of the Stratton Student Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Thursday. Rick Friedman/AFP/Getty ImagesMIT encampment dismantledDemonstrators chanted messages like, “Free Palestine” as police dismantled the pro-Palestinian encampment on the Cambridge, Massachusetts, campus early Friday, video from CNN affiliate WFXT showed. On Thursday, fewer than 10 students were arrested on campus, according to the university.

Persons: United Nations Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Reynold Verret, won’t, Donna Shalala, Rick Friedman, WFXT, Francesca Riccio, Ackerman, Andy Rose Sam Simpson, Rob Frehse, Zenebou Sylla Organizations: CNN — Pro, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Law, The University of Arizona, . Police, University of Pennsylvania : Police, Daily, Police, ” Police, CNN, WPVI, Xavier University, UN, US, United Nations, Hamas, The New, New York City, Faculty Senate, Stratton Student, Getty, MIT Locations: College, Louisiana, Israel, Stratton, Cambridge , Massachusetts

☆ Videos show protesters clashing with police near Tesla's Berlin gigafactory
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Footage posted on X Friday shows protesters clashing with police near a Tesla factory in Germany. The protesters were rallying against Elon Musk's plans to expand the site by clearing out local forest areas. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementVideos posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday appear to show protesters clashing with police near a Tesla factory in Germany.

Persons: Elon Musk's, — Organizations: Service, Junge Welt, Business Locations: Germany, Grünheide, Berlin, Europe

“They have chased down Jewish students. They have screamed at those who bear the Star of David.”Former President Donald J. Trump chimed in. Jewish students have been shouted at to return to Poland, where Nazis killed three million Jews during the Holocaust. There are chants and signs in support of Hamas, whose attack on Israel sparked the current war. A leader of the Columbia protests declared in a video that “Zionists don’t deserve to live.”

Persons: Mike Johnson, ”, jeers, David . ”, Donald J, Biden, “, Israel, don’t Organizations: Columbia University, Trump, Truth, Republicans, Columbia Locations: Gaza, Poland, Israel

The university had set a Monday deadline for protesters to vacate the encampment or face suspension, and tensions have been rising after some students who had defied the deadline received notices of suspension from the university. Administrators would not say how many students had been suspended. As an additional condition of suspension, some students also lost their eligibility to be employed by the university, a penalty that cut off the income of graduate student employees who were suspended. “I don’t know what comes next,” said Prahlad Iyengar, a first-year graduate student who said he had lost his income and housing as a result of his suspension. “I have friends and a community, and I can find a place, but there are people affected who are housing- and food-insecure, some with children.”

Persons: ”, “, Prahlad Iyengar

☆ Campus Protesters Are Demanding Colleges Divest From Israel. That Is Intellectually Impossible. - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Gary Sernovitz | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest” is a frequent chant ringing through pro-Palestinian college protests. A proposal Columbia students put forward in December calls for divestment from Microsoft, Airbnb, Amazon and Alphabet, among others. Administrators at some universities, including Brown and Northwestern, have agreed to talks with students about divestment as part of agreements to end campus encampments. Before the war in Gaza, it had been pretty easy for universities to make compromises around divestment demands, but those expedient choices are haunting them now. Every investment in elite schools’ endowments is up for debate.

Persons: Airbnb, Brown, “, ” Organizations: Hamas, Columbia, Microsoft, West Bank, University of Michigan Regents Locations: Israel, Columbia, Northwestern, Gaza

☆ Peter Thiel was trapped inside a student debating hall by pro-Palestine protesters accusing him of genocide
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Mikhaila Friel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Peter Thiel faced backlash from pro-Palestine protesters during an event in Cambridge, UK. Protesters interrupted his speech at the Cambridge Union and accused him of genocide. AdvertisementTech billionaire Peter Thiel was trapped inside a student debating hall on Wednesday by pro-Palestine protesters who accused him of genocide. Thiel, 56, is a cofounder of data-mining company Palantir, which supplies the Israel Defense Forces with technology for "war-related missions." Thiel was giving a speech at the Cambridge Union Society in the UK (which is independent of the University of Cambridge) when pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted his monologue.

Persons: Peter Thiel, Thiel, — Organizations: Palestine, Israel Defense Forces, Protesters, Cambridge Union, Service, Tech, Cambridge Union Society, University of Cambridge, Business Locations: Cambridge

☆ Colson Whitehead Cancels His Commencement Speech at UMass Amherst
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Elizabeth A. Harris | More About Elizabeth A. Harris | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead said Thursday that he would not give the commencement address at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on May 18 as planned, citing the administration’s decision to call the police on campus protesters. “I was looking forward to speaking next week at UMass Amherst,” Mr. Whitehead wrote on the social network Bluesky. I have to withdraw as your commencement speaker. The school said that the ceremony would proceed without a commencement speaker. “We respect Mr. Whitehead’s position and regret that he will not be addressing the Class of 2024,” Ed Blaguszewski, a spokesman for the University of Massachusetts Amherst, said in a statement.

Persons: Colson Whitehead, “, ” Mr, Whitehead, ” Michael Goldsmith, Ed Blaguszewski Organizations: University of Massachusetts Amherst, UMass Amherst

Search resuls for: "Protesters"

25 mentions found