We the undersigned wish to protest the invitation of Dr. Condoleezza Rice to speak this June at Norwich University. It is contrary to Vermont’s long-held values of human rights, equality, honesty, non-violence, and peace that Norwich should invite Dr. Rice.

Dr. Rice was, and remains, an unapologetic participant in many efforts that have tarnished the honor of the United States, defied the Constitution, and caused the unnecessary deaths and wounding of thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands more from other nations.

Specifically, Dr. Rice eagerly offered false pretenses to justify an invasion of Iraq, to say nothing of the leadership role she played in the hapless, brutal execution of the war. Worse, Dr. Rice was (and unapologetically remains) an advocate for torture and “extraordinary renditions,” which were lawlessly employed during her time in office. These practices, which disgraced our nation and continue to undermine our once-mighty moral legitimacy, are widely viewed as war crimes in which Dr. Rice is complicit.

Can Norwich find no other speaker to hold up as an example to its student body than Dr. Rice, with her legacy of torture, dishonestly, war mongering, and disregard for the law? Finally, it only heightens the irony of her selection by Norwich that the University has educated many of the soldiers who have fought, been wounded, and died in the Middle East. That Norwich should now celebrate the person who so cavalierly rushed to war seems only to dishonor the students’ brave sacrifice.