Common rejected as university commencement speaker after police protest

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UNION, N.J. — New Jersey's Kean University has cancelled hip-hop artist Common as commencement speaker after police voiced concerns over a song about a woman convicted of killing a police officer as an accomplice who fled to Cuba.

The school announced the Academy Award winner's selection on Monday, but said on its social media sites on Tuesday night that he would not be the speaker.

See also: Gov. Christie demands Cuba return wanted fugitive Assata Shakur

University spokeswoman Susan Kayne told The Record newspaper the announcement was made prematurely.

"The students expressed interest in Common because he composed the Oscar-winning song 'Glory' with our prior commencement speaker John Legend," Kayne said. "While we respect his talent, Kean is pursuing other speaker options." Read more...

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