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Universities rescind commencement invitations to U.N. ambassador over conflict in Gaza
Xavier University of Louisiana became the second school to rescind a commencement invitation to United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield because of the student outcry over the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The move came days after the University of Vermont also canceled Thomas-Greenfield’s commencement address.
Administrators at both universities cited pressure from students and the community over the Biden administration’s support for Israel in its war with Hamas.
“The vast majority of students want to be able to enjoy a commencement ceremony free of disruptions,” wrote Xavier President Dr. Reynold Verret in a letter. He called the university’s decision to disinvite Thomas-Greenfield “regrettable” and said that it had decided to do so “together with Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield’s team.”
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Xavier announced Thomas-Greenfield as commencement speaker on May 5. But three days later, after more than 1,700 people signed a petition calling on the university to pull the invitation, the New Orleans-based university reversed course.
The student-led petition asked the university to “end the politicization of our Commencement ceremony” and cited Thomas-Greenfield’s record at the U.N. She has previously voted against measures calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Nate Evans, a spokesperson for Thomas-Greenfield, told CBS News, “Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield looks forward to continuing to engage with young people on campuses and other fora across the country to inspire the next generation of diplomats, as she has recently done in Pennsylvania, Texas, and New York.”
The ambassador recently toured a high school in Philadelphia, where she held a school-wide assembly and met privately with a group of Palestinian students.
Last week, Thomas-Greenfield was disinvited to speak at the University of Vermont’s commencement ceremony.
In a letter to the university community, University of Vermont President Suresh Garimella acknowledged demonstrations on campus. “I hear your frustration with foreign policy decisions,” he wrote, adding that the decision to cancel the ambassador’s appearance was made “with regret.”
CBS News has learned the university formally invited Thomas-Greenfield to speak at its commencement last summer, several months before Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The invitation from Xavier came early this year, long before campus protests broke out nationwide.
A source familiar with the ambassador’s thinking told CBS News that Thomas-Greenfield is not deterred by the demonstrations at either school and was prepared to deliver her remarks. The source said she is also mindful of the threat of protesters disrupting commencement ceremonies which could take away from honoring graduates and their achievements.
Thomas-Greenfield has served in a variety of diplomatic roles over a nearly 40-year career in government. She was named U.N. ambassador at the start of the Biden administration.
On Thursday, speaking to Dallas station WFAA, she offered a message to protesters on college campuses across the country. “I want the students to know that they are being heard. At the same time, we have to be clear that they can’t use violence as a means of getting their message across,” Thomas-Greenfield said. She was not asked about the commencement ceremonies specifically.
President Biden is scheduled to address graduates at Morehouse College on May 19. So far, student protests there have not altered commencement plans at the historically Black college in Atlanta.
Camilla Schick and Jane Chick contributed reporting.
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$100 million in federal funds released for North Carolina to rebuild roads, bridges damaged by Helene
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation released $100 million in emergency funds on Saturday for North Carolina to rebuild its roads and bridges damaged by Helene.
“We are providing this initial round of funding so there’s no delay getting roads repaired and reopened, and re-establishing critical routes,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement. “The Biden-Harris administration will be with North Carolina every step of the way, and today’s emergency funding to help get transportation networks back up and running safely will be followed by additional federal resources.”
The storm caused rampant flooding that has devastated several towns and killed more than 225 people – with CBS News confirming at least 114 people killed in North Carolina. There was more than 8 inches of rain across the western North Carolina mountains, with some areas seeing more than a foot.
Hundreds of roads across Western North Carolina remain closed, leading to an increase in air traffic as teams scour the region for survivors by air. Air traffic over Western North Carolina has increased by 300% due to relief efforts since the storm cleared, the Federal Aviation Administration and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Mudslides blocked Interstate 40 and other highways in North Carolina and about 400 roads were closed due to damage from Helene. Interstate 40 was damaged at several locations, the Department of Transportation said.
President Biden visited the Carolinas on Wednesday, surveying the flood damage by air from Greenville, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Biden announced the federal government would cover “100%” of all debris removal and emergency protective measure costs in North Carolina for six months.
The Department of Transportation said these relief funds will allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation to act more quickly to fund eligible repairs to their damaged facilities.
Li Cohen and
contributed to this report.
CBS News
Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf; forecast to strengthen into hurricane headed toward Florida
Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane headed toward Florida with possible impacts to its western coast, the National Hurricane Center said on Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be at 40 mph with higher gusts and Milton is currently moving north-northeast, NHC said in an advisory.
Milton is forecast to undergo a period of rapid intensification before it makes landfall as a Category 2 hurricane across Florida’s west coast, CBS News Miami reported.
The forecast comes a little more than a week after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and across the Southeast, killing more than 200 people and causing immense destruction. President Biden on Thursday took an aerial tour of Florida’s Big Bend where Helene struck as a Category 4 storm. Hundreds of people are still missing and Mr. Biden said the work to rebuild will cost “billions of dollars” as communities suffer still without power, running water and passable roads.
NOAA
Milton is forecast to move across the southwestern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday night then across the south-central Gulf on Monday and Tuesday before reaching Florida’s west coast by the middle of the week, NHC said. Heavy rain is possible in the region starting Sunday into Monday, CBS Miami reported, and more rain and heavy winds will most likely arrive on Wednesday. Hurricane and storm surge watches will most likely be required for portions of Florida starting Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said.
Along with the heavy rainfall, the hurricane center said to expect risks of flooding.
Residents in the area should ensure they have a hurricane plan in place, the National Hurricane Center said, follow the advice of local officials and check back for forecast updates.
