The organization Students for Justice in Palestine at Eastern Michigan University has started a petition to remove the former White House press secretary for the Biden administration, Karine Jean-Pierre, as the guest speaker at EMU's upcoming MLK President's Luncheon.
The luncheon, which is hosted annually on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, is one of many events that EMU holds through the week of Jan. 19-23, 2026, aimed at celebrating the legacy of MLK Jr. with keynote speakers, marches and community-based workshops.
The petition, posted through the student-led organization SJP's Instagram page on Jan. 14, 2026, encouraged students to fill out a Google Form calling for Jean-Pierre to no longer speak at the luncheon or host a book signing event on the same day.
The petition criticized Jean-Pierre, who served the Biden administration amid the war in Gaza.
"She [Jean-Pierre] played an active and primary role in falsely shaping the narrative to the American public regarding the ongoing genocide in Gaza and excusing the war crimes of the Biden Administration that resulted in the death and suffering of hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza," the post stated. "As chief spokesperson for the Biden White House, Jean-Pierre publicly supported the administration's stance on Israel."
The amount of signatures the petition has received is currently unknown.
"In the spirit of of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, we demand the MLK Celebration Planning Committee select a keynote speaker that truly and wholeheartedly embodies his work in advancing justice, fighting against US imperialism, racism, white supremacy, colonization and oppression," the post stated.
In a statement, Vice President for Communications Walter Kraft said Eastern Michigan University will not be removing Jean-Pierre as the event's guest speaker. He said her career in government, advocacy and communications offers a meaningful learning opportunity for the EMU community.
"Eastern Michigan University values the free exchange of ideas and the right of our students, faculty, and staff to express their perspectives on issues of importance to them. We recognize that members of our community hold a wide range of views, and we respect the ability of student organizations to voice their opinions, including concerns about invited speakers," Kraft said. "At the same time, the University remains committed to presenting programs that reflect the breadth, depth, and complexity of national conversations — particularly during our annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, which is rooted in dialogue, reflection, and the pursuit of justice."
The luncheon, which will be hosted in the Student Center Ballroom on Jan. 19, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., is sold out. However, students and staff who still wish to view the program can do so through a livestream, held in the Student Center Auditorium at the same time. While the livestream does not require a ticket to view, seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The auditorium can hold up to 240 spectators.
Following the MLK Luncheon will be a book signing for Karine Jean-Pierre's most recent release, "Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines."
Released on Oct. 21, 2025, the book reassess the U.S.'s two-party system from her perspective working with both the Obama and Biden Administration, encouraging readers to embrace an independent political standpoint, as opposed to identifying as Democrat or Republican. The book signing will be held Jan. 19, 2026, from 2-3 p.m. in Student Center Room 310A.
SJP at Eastern Michigan University was created in November 2024 and regularly holds on-campus events and fundraisers.
For more information on the petition and SJP at EMU, its events and advocacy work can be found through on its Instagram @emu.sjp.
