Outrage on CUNY Vote to Shelve Playwright’s Award [View All]

[Scurrilous]

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"Trying to stem a spiraling controversy, the Board of Trustees of the City University of New York issued a statement on Thursday that its decision to block an honorary degree for the playwright Tony Kushner "should not be interpreted as reflecting on Mr. Kushner’s accomplishments."

But the statement fell short of an apology, which is what Mr. Kushner called for after Jeffrey S. Wiesenfeld, a trustee, claimed that he held deeply anti-Israel views. Mr. Wiesenfeld’s words, at a board meeting on Monday, set in motion a vote by the trustees to shelve the honor.

Mr. Kushner, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of “Angels in America,” had not been told that the matter would be debated and had no opportunity to defend himself. He said Mr. Wiesenfeld had distorted his views.

CUNY’s statement also appeared unlikely to quell the mounting criticism from intellectual and artistic circles that has erupted. Former Mayor Edward I. Koch, an outspoken supporter of Israel who is receiving an honorary degree from CUNY, called on Thursday for the board to grant Mr. Kushner the degree and for Mr. Wiesenfeld to resign, saying he had abused his power."

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