UCD Student Union President claims she was "forcibly removed" from awards ceremony for Nancy Pelosi

Martha claims she was “thrown out” of the Nancy Pelosi event at UCD on Monday

UCD Student Union President Martha Ní Riada said she was “forcibly removed” from an awards ceremony held for Nancy Pelosi at the university.

The former speaker of the US House of Representatives attended a ceremony at UCD on Monday, where she was awarded an Honorary Degree, The Sutherland Leadership Award and The James Joyce Award.

In a video shared on social media, Ms Ní Riada can be heard standing up and shouting “Pelosi is a Zionist and a war criminal” while the US politician gave a speech. Two security guards then quickly made their way over to her and removed her from the room.

Speaking to the Irish Daily Mirror, the Student Union president said: “I stood up and said Pelosi is a Zionist and a war criminal, there was more that I wanted to say as representing students we denounce this honorary degree, it’s not reflective of students’ wishes and she shouldn’t be celebrated in this way.

“I only got that out before security took me out, when I stood up they came over and forcibly removed me.”

Ms Ní Riada said she knew she would be asked to leave after making her comments, but didn’t expect that security would put their hands on her.

“Usually in that situation you would say to someone first ‘Would you leave?’ and then if they refuse to leave they drag them out, but they didn’t do that,” she said.

“I knew that I would be asked to leave but it’s the abrupt manner that they did it in, it goes against the university, which prides itself on discussion and freedom of speech.

“There isn’t any robust debate when I stand up in my capacity as an elected representative for students and I’m essentially dragged out of the room. Another issue is student safety and that’s acceptable to happen at a university event when I pose no threat.

“They are well within their rights to ask me to leave and I would have left, but it’s just the manner that they did it that I think is just unacceptable.”

While the event took place, Ms Ní Ríada said there were up to 150 students protesting outside, and their chants could be heard in the building.

The Students’ Union was urging the university not to award Ms Pelosi, as she faces criticism for calling on the FBI to investigate pro-Palestinian protestors after suggesting they may have connections to Russia.

A Garda spokesperson said while it doesn’t comment on third-party remarks, a policing plan was in place for the event.

They added: “A public gathering by a group of individuals on a university campus in Dublin 4 on Monday 22nd April 2024 passed off without incident. No arrests were necessary.”

UCD has been contacted for comment.

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