Ellington

Graduating seniors will fling their caps into the air next weekend, celebrating their accomplishments in higher education and symbolizing their entry into a world beyond textbooks, GPAs and the dreaded all-nighters central to finals week.

But some students feel there is a political stain on this year’s ceremony. The selection of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates as the class of 2009’s commencement speaker has spurred students dissatisfied with the cabinet member’s war record to protest.

“Robert Gates has, for the last year and a half, led the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has killed thousands of civilians, thousands of American troops,” said Elizabeth Fawthrop, a member of the International Socialist Organization at the UW and a graduating senior. “We see both of those things, and the war on terror more broadly, as immoral.”

Democracy Insurgent member Veryl Pow cited the secretary’s involvement in the Iran-Contra scandal in the 1980s and what Pow believes to be the increased militarization of campus — with CIA Officer Timothy Thomas presently acting as a visiting researcher — as reasons for protest.

This dispute follows controversy surrounding President Barack Obama’s commencement speeches, which he delivered last month at Arizona State University, the United States Naval Academy and the University of Notre Dame. The latter was met with anti-abortion rallies from Catholic leaders and students.

Although this year marks the first time the UW will host a sitting member of the presidential cabinet as commencement speaker, Gates’ high-profile status is inconsequential to Pow.

“To me, Robert Gates is a nobody,” he said. “I’m very ashamed he’s affiliated with America.”

Student and national groups joining the International Socialist Organization and Democracy Insurgent include the Bail Out the People — Not the Banks! movement, Socialist Alternative, World Can’t Wait, the Anti-War Collective and the Muslim Student Association.

The protesters plan to convene at 11:30 a.m. June 13 in front of the IMA. Following a small rally, they plan to march to Husky Stadium and, after a brief demonstration outside, plan to enter the stadium and claim seats in the audience or, for some protestors, with the rest of the graduates.

“During the actual speech, we’re going to have our backs turned to protest his speech and the fact he was awarded the honorary degree by the Board of Regents,” Pow said.

UW spokesperson Norm Arkans, who recalled a similar protest in 2002 against former Secretary of State Madeline Albright’s commencement speech, noted that there is a fine line between expressing disapproval and respecting the festive occasion.

“If [turning their backs] is what they’re up to, then that makes some sense,” Arkans said. “It’s a way to show your individual disapproval, but it’s also a way not to interrupt the proceedings.”

Fawthrop explained that students planning to protest were required to sign a contract stating they would not stand up or speak during Gates’ speech.

“This is a special day for us and for our families,” Fawthrop said, “but what we’re trying to say is that the UW should have done better.”

Reach reporter Rachel Solomon at news@dailyuw.com.