Goddard College Students Select Cop Killer To Deliver Commencement Speech

Mumia Abu-Jamal, a man serving life in prison for killing a Philadelphia cop, has been selected by students as a commencement speaker at his Vermont alma mater.

Goddard College says on its website that a video of Abu-Jamal’s remarks will be played Sunday at a commencement, along with a tribute video.

Goddard’s president says the senior’s selection of Abu-Jamal reflects “their freedom to engage and think radically and critically in a world that often sets up barriers to do just that.”

Abu-Jamal was sentenced to death for killing Police Officer Daniel Faulkner in 1981, then in 2012 his sentence was reduced and he is currently serving life in prison. He graduated from Goddard in 1996.