A Muslim, pro-Palestine valedictorian from a North Carolina high school blasted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during her commencement speech last week, which a school official is seen on video cutting short.
During the graduation ceremony for Clayton High School last Thursday, Leen Hijaz delivered the welcome speech, WRAL-TV said, adding in its video report that Hijaz is the valedictorian of the graduating class.
As Hijaz reached the closing remarks of her speech, she began commenting about ICE and Palestine, the station said. The following is the transcript of Hijaz’s final words based on a video recording:
Before I leave the stage, I have one last thing to say. Every single person here has a voice, and we are privileged to have the freedom to use it when so many people around the world are struggling and suffering to be heard. Whether it’s the millions suffering in Palestine, Sudan, Congo, Afghanistan, and so many other countries around the world, or the families being torn apart by ICE, these are not distant issues; they are happening right now as I speak. My point is, we’re not given a voice to stay silent.
Then what appeared to be a school official approached Hijaz at the podium and cut off her speech, after which Hijaz turned and sat down in her seat onstage.
Nevertheless, the crowd gave Hijaz a big round of applause.
Below is the clip of her off-script words:
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The moment was captured on video as Clayton High School live streamed the commencement ceremony on the school’s YouTube page, WRAL reported.
What’s more, Hijaz on her TikTok account the day after the graduation ceremony said her diploma was being withheld due to her words in her speech, the station said.
“What I focused on throughout my entire life was my education, and for something so important to me, something that I worked hard for 12 years of my life to get taken from me, I feel oppressed,” Hijaz said, according to WRAL.
Hijaz in her TikTok video also identified herself as a Muslim and added that she was the graduating class’ valedictorian even though she was technically a junior, noting that she graduated early.
Hijaz added that for six months she did “a lot of fighting to get on that stage” before the school “gave in and they said that I could do the welcome speech.”
“The only reason why I wanted to go on that stage is because I wanted to say something,” Hijaz said in her TikTok video. “And I really think that somebody had to say something because nobody else is going to speak up. Nobody.”
Hijaz added in her TikTok video that when the high school principal approached her at the podium, the principal said that “if you don’t stop speaking right now, you’re not graduating.”
What’s more, Hijaz said in her TikTok video that her diploma was going to be “withheld for a week.”
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The News & Observer said the school’s principal didn’t respond to an email requesting comment on the incident.
In a statement provided to WRAL, Johnston County Public Schools said students were required to submit their remarks well in advance of graduation and that a student deviated from what administrators preapproved.
“School administrators intervened in order to maintain the integrity and focus of the program in real time,” the district said, according to the station. “This action was not about limiting a student’s voice but about ensuring that a school-sponsored event remained consistent with its intended purpose.”
In her TikTok video, Hijaz said she didn’t submit the end of her speech as part of her official speech because she said the school would’ve denied it “immediately because of how racist they are.”
“I was extremely scared to say something and really wasn’t planning on doing it, but I had so much support from my friends and family around me, and they really encouraged me to say something,” Hijaz said in her TikTok video, adding that “I didn’t get the chance to say everything I wanted to say, but I said enough that the word went out.”
Hijaz added in her TikTok clip that her principal was yelling her name and making her feel “uncomfortable” — and that later the principal said that she was “so disappointed” in Hijaz and that the valedictorian “made this all about” herself and “abused” the “privilege to speak.”
The school district told WRAL that while it respects students’ right to express their views and encourages important conversations concerning their views, they also have “a responsibility to ensure that official school events remain inclusive, respectful, and focused on celebrating all graduates.”
“We remain committed to supporting student expression while upholding the structure and expectations of school-sponsored activities,” the district said, according to WRAL.
WRAL added that the school district has given Hijaz’s diploma to her.
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