Howard University student organizers explain protest of Muriel Bowser

Following Muriel Bowser’s protest at commencement on Saturday, Howard University student organizers are explaining why they were opposed to her appearance at the event. The letter has circulated on social media and was posted by former NBA player and activist Etan Thomas.

The letter is below.

“For Immediate Release from The Organizers:

On Saturday, May 10th, 2026, Howard University graduating seniors organized a protest and rally in opposition to Howard University’s decision to select Muriel Bowser as keynote speaker of this year’s Commencement Convocation. A commencement convocation ceremony is meant to be a final congratulations to the graduates on behalf of the University by offering words of encouragement and guidance as they step into a new life phase. Typically, a keynote speaker is a person of upright character. They should be a living example of competence, truth, and service.

Muriel Bowser demonstrates none of these qualities. Any resident of the D.C. area is familiar with the increase in police and federal agent presence in the city. These officers have targeted Black young people (including Howard University students) in their attempt to control and subdue Black bodies. Bowser did nothing to prevent the federal takeover of D.C., and offers no protection to the people she swore in to serve. To make matters worse, Bowser is implicated in the killing of millions of men, women, and children in Gaza through her partnership with the genocidal American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Why does Howard University believe Muriel Bowser is qualified to offer words of wisdom to Black students, many of whom will soon return to Black communities across the country?

Why won’t Howard University take a public stance against anti-Blackness, capitalist greed, and war?

Since the University is not willing to demonstrate care and responsibility toward issues that affect the reality of Black people in the DMV and oppressed people abroad, students decided to act in actual alignment with the values of truth and service.

During Bowser’s speech, some students turned their backs while she spoke. Others began to yell from the audience. Several students got up and walked out of the ceremony and participated in a celebration of their own.

This is the truth.”

In April, the university announced that Muriel Bowser would deliver the commencement address and be awarded an honorary degree, citing her career in public service in a statement explaining the decision.

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