DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The NAACP Florida State Conference president on Monday called for the resignation of two Bethune-Cookman University officials a week after the school invited U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to serve as its keynote commencement speaker.
Florida NAACP President Adora Nweze called on president Edison Jackson and board chairman Joe Petrock to resign immediately.
The decision to invite DeVos to speak at the school last Tuesday caused public outcry because of comments that she previously made calling historically black colleges and universities "real pioneers" of school choice.
Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos will serve as keynote speaker at B-CU's Commencement. Read here: https://t.co/BlICJ1qB2z #BCUForward pic.twitter.com/6qjMmywsQi
— Bethune-Cookman (@bethunecookman) May 1, 2017
DeVos later backtracked, saying that the schools weren't established to give black students more choices, but because black students were forbidden from attending white schools because of racial segregation.
"Multiple allegations have surfaced, including faculty intimidation demanding their silence or (risking) termination," Nweze said. "And (there were accusations of) threats to students by potentially withholding earned degrees and fines for freedom of expression."
Several attorneys have already agreed to represent faculty and students who peacefully protested DeVos' speech and who might face retaliation from the university, Nweze said.
"Our partners have reviewed the university student code of conduct, and it does not contain any prohibition on peaceful protests and freedom of expression," Nweze said. "The NAACP Volusia County Daytona Beach Branch and several attorneys will be on the ground monitoring this situation."
“It reached the level of violating the students’ constitutional and civil rights when they started to be threatened or intimidated,” said NAACP Daytona Beach chapter president Cynthia Slater. "It's very disturbing."
Nweze said the organization opposes DeVos' visit and believes that she's unworthy of receiving an honorary degree from B-CU.
"The university leadership has drastically fumbled and should resign,” Nweze said.
DeVos will speak Wednesday at the university.
The president and administration of Bethune-Cookman University supports the first amendment rights of its students. We have not and will not seek to chill the free speech of our students and faculty; as we support the free exchange of alternative ideas in all academic efforts. Commencement is an occasion that celebrates the best of our students and we have always endeavored to ensure that it is considered a sacred and reverent ceremony. We uphold existing policies and procedures to protect the integrity of our commencement exercises and will continue to do so during Secretary DeVos' visit. Furthermore, the NAACP has done some great work in this community and communities around the nation. We are sure that they will be able to continue our work together to advance people of color and all ethnicities to strengthen our nation. As President of the great Bethune-Cookman University, I am looking forward to a successful commencement ceremony.
This year's commencement ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 10th, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. located at the Ocean Center (101 N Atlantic Ave). This is a ticketed event and guests are highly recommended to adhere to the National Football Association, 'Clear Bag Policy.'
Read: DeVos faults predecessor for wasting money on school reform
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