North Carolina High School Cuts Valedictorian’s Speech for Anti-ICE and Global Suffering Remarks
June 6, 2026
CLAYTON, N.C. — Clayton High School Valedictorian Leen Hijaz had her microphone cut mid-speech after introducing unscripted remarks regarding global humanitarian crises and U.S. immigration policies during the school’s Class of 2026 commencement ceremony on May 28.
The 17-year-old deviated from her pre-approved welcome address to urge her peers to use their voices, stating,
“Whether it’s the millions suffering in Palestine, Sudan, Congo, Afghanistan… or the families being torn apart by ICE, these are not distant issues.”
Principal Melissa Moore Hubbard immediately intervened on stage, escorting Hijaz from the microphone before she could finish.
The incident sparked national debate after Hijaz took to social media, alleging that school administrators initially withheld her high school diploma as a punitive measure. Representatives for Johnston County Public Schools stated that the real-time intervention was meant “to maintain the integrity and focus of the program” and ensure the school-sponsored event “remained consistent with its intended purpose.”
Following intense public scrutiny and community pressure, the school district confirmed that Hijaz has since received her diploma.
Source: @cnn
#freepalestine #freesudan #freecongo #freeafghanistan #fyp
English Script:
N/A
