University of Baltimore students protest DeVos during commencement speech

Graduates protested Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos during a commencement address at the University of Baltimore on Wednesday.

Students stood and turned away from DeVos during her speech, The Baltimore Sun reported.

{mosads}One woman who stood had “#Not my commencement speaker” written on the back of her cap.

A faculty member on the stage also protested DeVos, and several graduates raised their fists.

DeVos speaking with some graduates turning their backs to her.

A post shared by Baltimore Beat (@baltimorebeat) on Dec 18, 2017 at 11:11am PST

I am at the University of Baltimore, where Betsy DeVos is set to give the commencement speech. Of course, there are protesters outside. pic.twitter.com/H3lmJfQ7af

— Molly Hensley-Clancy (@mollyhc) December 18, 2017

During her speech, DeVos appeared to reference the several protests students and graduates have staged against her at past speeches.

“The natural instinct is to join in the chorus of conflict, to raise your voice louder, to promote your profile and ostracize others,” she said. “Too many assume that those who are the loudest are leaders and those who stay quiet are followers. But we will not solve the significant and real problems our country faces if we cannot embrace this paradox of silence.”

“We will do well to first listen, study, ponder, then speak to genuinely engage those with whom we disagree. Voices that are quiet at first, grow in strength while those who rush to shout are humbled.”

Students and faculty at the University of Baltimore protested DeVos’s selection as commencement speaker when it was announced in September, citing her criticism of public schools and support for school choice, according to the Sun.

Over 3,000 people signed a petition opposing DeVos as commencement speaker and calling for the university to rescind the invitiation.