The Ticker: Students Boo, Turn Their Backs on DeVos at Bethune-Cookman Speech

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Students Boo, Turn Their Backs on DeVos at Bethune-Cookman Speech

By Andy Thomason

May 10, 2017

Betsy DeVos, the U.S. education secretary, drew loud boos on Wednesday from attendees at Bethune-Cookman University’s commencement ceremony, where she delivered the keynote address. Many graduating students in the audience also turned their backs on her as she spoke.

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At one point, the president of the university, Edison O. Jackson, interrupted Ms. DeVos to warn protesting students that if they continued to boo, “your degrees will be mailed to you.”

Ms. DeVos did not directly acknowledge the protests in her address at the historically black university, though she did say the Trump administration would “continue to support” HBCUs.

The education secretary’s visit prompted complaints from advocates for HBCUs, as well as students at Bethune-Cookman, ever since it was announced, on May 1. Some on the campus demanded that the invitation be rescinded.

The Chronicle’s Adam Harris was on the scene in Daytona Beach, Fla., and tweeted an account of the events:

DeVos has been awarded an honorary doctorate. A mix of boos and clapping. Edison Jackson catches residual boos.
— adam harris (@AdamHSays) May 10, 2017

DeVos approaches lectern: “Is immediately booed.
— adam harris (@AdamHSays) May 10, 2017

Graduates have turned their backs to Devos
— adam harris (@AdamHSays) May 10, 2017

Jackson interrupts: “If behavior continues your degrees will be mailed to you.”
— adam harris (@AdamHSays) May 10, 2017

Chants from the crowd as Jackson asks the graduates to be seated, most have returned to seat as DeVos speaks again. Loudly booed.
— adam harris (@AdamHSays) May 10, 2017

“GO HOME” someone yells.
— adam harris (@AdamHSays) May 10, 2017

DeVos is sticking to her prepared remarks even as students continue to boo. There are cheers as some walk out holding fists up.
— adam harris (@AdamHSays) May 10, 2017