Hillary Clinton - Honorary Degree Awarded by Queen's University Belfast

The former US Secretary of State, and Democratic Nominee for the United States presidency, Hillary Clinton attended an assembly today at Queen’s University Belfast to accept a honorary degree by the university for “her exceptional public service both in the US and around the Globe” and, “for her efforts towards peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

While the event was a complete sell-out, on the outside of the university gates, People before Profit and the Socialist Youth NI chose to protest the event. Paul Loughran, from People before Profit, said to Queen’s Radio, “Hillary Clinton has been a massive pro-war advocate.” He followed by saying, “we think it’s an absolute disgrace she’s being awarded an honorary degree for, supposedly, her contribution to peace here”. However, Addison Paterson, a student at Queen’s University, said in an interview with QR, “I think its really interesting that when Jeremy Corbyn and even Former President Clinton visited a few months ago some of today’s protesters were inside listening to him.” She continued, “If all politicians are war criminals, why is it that Hillary is the only one being protested. If you’re part of the system, you’re part of the problem. I think it’s down to some misogyny, that her male counterparts did not receive the same treatment.”

Inside the Whitla Hall, the atmosphere was far more relaxed, with student’s queuing for nearly an hour to get in, then rushing in for the best seat – in typical student fashion. Absent from the student masses was QUBSU officers Robert Murtaugh and Connor Veighey. Robert Murtagh in a brief statement to Queen’s Radio said, “…it was a personal decision made by officers… to be fair I actually didn’t get an invite, so I couldn’t actually decline. We fully respect people’s opinions. We decided to get on with the day as normal – it’s a busy day for the both of us.” After originally not making a statement to Queen’s Radio regarding his absence at the graduation, Connor Veighey eventually said, “It’s going to come as no surprise what-so-ever, my politics are very different to Hillary Clinton’s…” he went onto say, “…it’s been a very busy day, flat out, so my priority has been to continue to represent the student’s that elected me”.

The graduation proceeded as any Queen’s University Belfast graduation would – with the exception of the Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences – Professor Adrienne Scullion, announcing that there will be a new post-graduate scholarship named in Hillary Clinton’s honour, “the Hillary Clinton scholarship reflects her own areas of interest and her own educational journey”.

As Professor Ian A Greer, Vice-Chancellor, welcomed Hillary Clinton to the Queen’s University Belfast family an audible ‘thank you’ was heard from the former Secretary of State. Following today’s graduation, Hillary Clinton received a Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD).

Following her conferral, former Secretary Clinton took to the podium, a hushed audience murmured in excited whispers. Her address to the audience focused on hope, the commitment of young people to the peace process and upholding the Good Friday agreement.

“Two long years with no collaboration. There is no Executive to carry on the work to honour the sacrifices of all the men and women who made peace possible… no executive to navigate Brexit” stated former Secretary Clinton. After admitting herself her opposition to Brexit, (which was followed by thunderous applause by the primarily student audience) she went onto say, “I make no excuses for being against Brexit. It may go down as the worst self-inflicted political wounds in history”.

She continued her address to the Whitla Hall by saying, “democracy is a habit that must be practiced again and again. Yes, that means, voting, but it also means debating and compromising… if you stop practicing, disregard or hold contempt, the habits of the heart, then democracy fades.” She concluded her emphasis on the importance of democracy stating that “The world is watching… Northern Ireland has been a symbol to everyone”.

She ended her address saying that Northern Ireland “deserves that better future” of “peace not paralysis”. As former Secretary Clinton left the podium, the audience erupted into applause once more with a standing ovation.

Video of former US Secretary of State - Hillary Clinton leaving Queen's University Belfast's Whitla Hall.

Following the graduation event Queen’s Radio spoke to MLA and Sinn Féin Leader, Michelle O’Neill, “she understands the concerns we have in relation to the Good Friday Agreement, but I think what she talked about today in her speech was very much about hope and the future and what does that future look like.” when asked if she can see a return to an executive at Stormont she continued, “I believe in always giving people hope, despite all of our challenges and difficulties that, the vision from 20 years ago can still be here in the day that we’re in. And I think that the only way we’re going to get back there is  actually with dialogue and embracing the principles of the Good Friday Agreement and working in partnership, working with equality, about respect for each-other and about planning the future together.”

While there seems like there’s no movement in the executive in Stormont for the time being, Hillary Clinton’s speech carried the strong message of hope, co-operation and building a strong future deserved by the Northern Irish people.

Image at top of article courtesy of Queen's University Belfast 

By Scott Duffield