If some students had their way, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg would have his invitation to speak at UNC’s commencement revoked.
During the past few days, a small group of students has produced a petition to prevent Bloomberg from giving the May commencement address.
The petition, addressed to both Chancellor Holden Thorp and the commencement committee, was published Tuesday on change.org.
The petition states that Bloomberg’s decision to use police force to expel Occupy Wall Street protestors from Zuccotti Park on Nov. 15 was unnecessary, making him an unsuitable speaker.
“Bloomberg represents the oppressive nature of the intersection of capital wealth and government that the Occupy movement is rejecting,” the petition states.
As of Wednesday night, more than 100 people had signed the online petition.
Senior Kari Dahlgren, who is involved with the Occupy movement, said she first proposed the idea for the petition because she had an ethical problem with Bloomberg as the speaker.
“He does not embody the values of democracy I think the University should support,” Dahlgren said.
But Dr. Ron Strauss, executive associate provost and head of the commencement committee, said UNC has historically not been afraid to host controversial speakers like Bloomberg.