Rep. Tom Lantos left his cap and gown at home on Saturday, May 29, choosing not to attend commencement ceremonies at City College of San Francisco after having been invited.
Lantos (D-San Mateo) bowed out when a small number of students and faculty threatened to protest his appearance. At issue: Lantos’ strong support for Israel, the Patriot Act and the U.S.-led war in Iraq. Though invited several months ago, Lantos decided the day before the ceremony not to participate in the face of the threatened protests.
Said the congressman in a statement to j.:
“The commencement festivities were meant to focus on the students who were being honored for their hard work, and not on some passing distraction. It is a pity that politics entered the picture, but that naturally will not affect my support for the college, which is a wonderful institution with a diverse student body and a long record of service to the community.”