On May 31, 2024, the MUN Students’ Union posted an Instagram video to inform students that they were prevented from attending the day’s sessions of Convocation after they protested during a session the previous day. They stated, “We are very angry at MUN administration’s insistence on silencing student voices.”
On May 30, 2024, MUNSU Executive Director of External Affairs Nicolas Keough protested Memorial University President Neil Bose during his speech to the 3 pm session of Convocation. The student union posted a video to Instagram stating that they were protesting the administration’s “complicity in the genocide of over 36,000 Palestinians” and that “only his [Bose’s] speech was disrupted this way, the grads all got to walk across the stage without any interruptions.” At the beginning of the Instagram video, Keough says, “Today, I protested Neil Bose at convocation.” Keough stood close to Bose and held up a sign that said, “MUN SUPPORTS ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE IN GAZA.” When Bose finished his speech, Keough shouted in the mic, “Free Palestine!”
Student Keona Russell stated, “You have the power to stop supporting a genocide, Neil Bose. Use it!! This was so incredibly powerful, very proud to be a part of MUNSU today.”
St. John’s Lawyer, Bob Buckingham, said, “Well done. Convocation is where the graduates and alumnae get to speak and decide. It is important for these actions to be taken and statements made.”
Nada Amrr stated, “Thank you, Nicolas Keough. You did what most of us couldn’t do! I applaud you for your courage to stand up for what’s right but also for voicing it publicly in front of everyone without anything shaking you.”
However, not everyone appreciated the protest, as there were angry expressions on the faces of some of the students graduating, their parents, and others in attendance.
Lorna Yard took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her disappointment with the student union’s actions. She stated, “Convocation is a day for graduates and their families to celebrate years of hard work and sacrifice. The day belongs to them. There is a time and place to protest, and this wasn’t it. As family members in the audience, we were disgusted with MUNSU’s stunt at Convocation today.”
Roxanne Whiting said, “I would hate to have my child’s celebration interrupted by a protestor. Protest outside of the event, not during it. The graduates deserved their moment to shine and be respectfully honoured.”
Matt Barter is a graduate of the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, holding a degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, taking walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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