Former FBI Director James Comey was mercilessly heckled this afternoon as he attempted to deliver a speech at the Howard University convocation ceremony. As the Washington Post confirms, a group of 20 Howard students led the heckling session that persisted throughout Comey’s speech and included the following clever chants:
“Get out James Comey, you’re not our homey.”
Before the speech began, protesters chanted “Get out of here Comey, you’re not our homie!” https://t.co/2guVGqKZMm http://pic.twitter.com/3r7MBxwtJV
— Social Life N Sydney (@SocialNSydney) September 22, 2017
“No justice, no peace.”
James Comey continues to speak as students continue to chant. #SpotlightOnConvocation http://pic.twitter.com/FyE0ak2wel
— Jaellyn???? (@_LifeAsJae_) September 22, 2017
At another point, protesters launched into song with the following lovely rendition of “We Shall Not Be Moved.”
WATCH: Protesters sing “We Shall Not Be Moved” as former FBI Director James Comey takes stage at Howard University https://t.co/k8TBMzujwd
— NBC News (@NBCNews) September 22, 2017
Comey and University officials attempted to quiet the crowds with condescending and patronizing overtures, but, to our great ‘shock’, they didn’t work.
At another point, the rest of the crowd of more than 1,000 in attendance began cheering “let him speak!’’ but the protesters were not deterred or quieted.?
University officials urged the protesters to “be better than this,’’ but were met by chants of “White supremacy is not a debate.’’
Comey, wearing black academic robes sought to get the attention of the crowd, to no avail.
“I’m only going to speak for 12 minutes,’’ he said.
“I love the enthusiasm of the young folks, I just wish they would understand what a conversation is,’’ said Comey, trying to speak above the interruptions of the protesters.
WATCH: Former FBI Director James Comey gives convocation address at Howard University amid protests https://t.co/mL5HyNMxbG
— NBC News (@NBCNews) September 22, 2017
As NBC notes, Howard University announced back in August that Comey would lead a series of lectures during the 2017-2018 school year which angered many groups on campus, including “HU Resist” which apparently orchestrated today’s entertainment.
Howard University officials first announced in August that Comey would serve as the school’s Gwendolyn S. Colbert I. King Endowed Chair in public policy for the 2017-2018 academic year. The former FBI director’s responsibility will include leading a series of five lectures and formally welcoming the new freshmen class on Friday.
However, a number of students objected to the choice.
In a petition circulated by, “HU Resist”, a student run organization that challenges university policies, activists argued that Comey’s actions as as the head of the FBI have ranged from the “criminalization” and attempted dismantling of Black Lives Matter” to the promotion of xenophobic and “characterizations” of “Muslim people.”
Thank you to everybody that stood and chanted with us. THIS is Howard University! #ReclaimConvocationHU #HUResist
— #HUResist (@HUResist) September 22, 2017
We certainly hope these kids enjoy the lifetime of FBI surveillance they just earned as a result of their “extremely careless” behavior…see what we did there?
via http://ift.tt/2xl48mR Tyler Durden