Leen Hijaz, a Palestinian-origin Muslim student of Clayton High School, Missouri, said her principal was not giving her a diploma as she made a controversial graduation speech, which her principal interrupted as well. During the graduation ceremony for Clayton High School on Thursday, May 28, Leen Hijaz delivered the welcome speech and as she reached the closing remarks of her speech, Hijaz began speaking about US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Palestine.
"Before I leave the stage, I have one last thing to say. Every single person here has a voice; we have the privilege to use it when millions 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 just an issue there; they are happening there, they're happening right here as I speak. My point is, we're not given a voice to stay silent," she said.
