UCD students to protest against visit of American politician Nancy Pelosi

UCD students are set to protest against the visit of American politician Nancy Pelosi to their campus.

Nancy Pelosi will receive the Sutherland Leadership Award at a Gala Dinner in Dublin on Monday, April 22 in the company of over 600 international, business, political and social leaders.

The event will take place at O’Reilly Hall, University College Dublin, Belfield. Ireland INC will present the occasion with KPMG supporting this event.

But the Student’s Union at UCD along with UCD BDS, a student-led campaign demanding UCD to boycott, divest from and sanction Israel, for the Liberation of Palestine, plan to protest on the evening.

The American politician recently drew criticism for calling for the Federal Bureau of Investigations to investigate pro-Palestinian protesters after suggesting they may have connections to Russia.

“Join us on Monday April 22nd to protest the welcoming and celebration of Nancy Pelosi,” they said in a statement.

“Let us send a message to all Irish universities, the Irish government, the American government and to the settler-colonial state of Israel that we, the Irish people, do not welcome war criminals.

“They should not be on our campus; they should be on trial. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

According to reports, Pelosi will accept the Sutherland Leadership Award “in recognition of an outstanding contribution to leadership and public life in a career spanning four decades”.

“Throughout her time in Congress, Pelosi, first elected in 1987, continuously broke barriers for women through her House leadership roles.

“She was voted the first female House minority whip in 2001, the first female minority leader in 2002 and first female speaker of the House in 2007.

“With that last victory, Pelosi became the highest-ranking woman in U.S. history at the time, eclipsing Madeleine Albright, a secretary of state under former President Bill Clinton.

“Pelosi has been instrumental in advancing key policies in healthcare, climate change, economic reform, and has consistently promoted equality throughout her time in politics.

“In 2013, she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Seneca Falls, the birthplace of the American women’s rights movement,” they said.

Ian Hyland, President and Publisher of Business and Finance and President of Ireland INC, said: “I am particularly delighted that Speaker Emerita Pelosi will accept the Sutherland Leadership Award as part of a program that has recognised some of the most outstanding leaders of our time including President Clinton, President Ursula von der Leyen, Senator George Mitchell, Sir John Major, President Mary Robinson, and President Zelenskyy.

“We are very much looking forward to honouring the Speaker Emerita with this very special recognition in the company of over 600 International business, political and social leaders on Monday April 22nd.”

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