by
Updated: 12:45 p.m. Friday -- After the MSU College of Communications Arts and Sciences cancelled Wednesday's Lunar New Years celebration because of the Trump administration's anti-DEI policies, another group stepped up and held a celebration at the student unioin on Thursday.
The State News, the student publication reports that the student-led organization, MSU’s University Activities Board (UAB), stepped up and held the event on Thursday.
The explanation for the cancellation of Wednesday's event did not mention whether the school was concerned about losing federal funding for certain programs.
---------------------------
From Earlier Friday Morning
It seems surreal. Nonetheless, it's apparently real.
Michigan State University cancelled its annual Lunar New Year celebration this week as a result of President Trump's new executive orders targeting diversity, equity and inclusion policies and concerns from students, the student newspaper, The State News reports.
The holiday, which marks the start of the New Year based on lunar calendars, is celebrated by China and other nations around the world including South Korea and Vietnam where Chinese residents reside, according to the National Museum of Asian Art.
The MSU event, hosted by the College of Communications Arts and Sciences and WKAR, was scheduled for this past Wednesday at noon.
But the day before, Lauren Gaines, director DEI for the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, wrote an email announcing the cancellation.
The State News obtained the email:
“This decision comes in response to concerns shared by members of our community regarding the current issuance of Executive Orders related to immigration and diversity, equity, and inclusion. These actions have prompted feelings of uncertainty and hesitation about gathering for events that highlight cultural traditions and communities.”
The cancellation at MSU got the attention of the Washington Post's Catherine Rampell who wrote a column titled, "A new era of government censorship has dawned."
"Some public institutions are bending over backward to avoid becoming targets," she wrote. "Michigan State University abruptly canceled an annual Lunar New Year celebration this week, just in case it violated Trump’s DEI executive orders."
