More than 2,000 people are expected to attend Hillsdale College’s graduation ceremonies on Saturday in Michigan.
The event in Hillsdale, Michigan, is scheduled despite a Michigan law that restricts the size of gatherings during the pandemic, Politico reported.
Larry Arnn, president of the Christian college, backed President Donald Trump in 2016, according to Politico. At one point, he was reportedly under consideration as a possible candidate for education secretary.
The graduation, which is closed to the public, was originally planned for May 9, but was rescheduled due to the coronavirus.
“Hillsdale College’s Commencement is an ‘expressive activity’ protected by the First Amendment,” the school said in a statement on its website. “It is a ceremony rich with symbolism and meaning.”
Those attending the ceremony will be screened for virus symptoms and will be required to wear masks and sit six feet apart.
MLive reported the college announced at noon on Thursday it would go ahead with the outdoor ceremony, which is expected to bring 2,600 people to the campus.
But, according to Politico, Ryan Jarvi, a spokesman for Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office, said that "organized gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited by law in that part of the state, and such events clearly show a lack of consideration for the dangerous threat this virus presents."
“Should this event proceed, we trust the local law enforcement agencies to exercise their authority and discretion in their enforcement efforts,” he said.
Jeffrey Rodack ✉
Jeffrey Rodack, who has nearly a half century in news as a senior editor and city editor for national and local publications, has covered politics for Newsmax for nearly seven years.
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