Kean University cancels Common appearance over song about convicted cop killer

UNION, N.J. (WABC) -- 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 who fled to Cuba.

Common won the Academy Award for composing the song "Glory" for the 2014 film "Selma."

When Kean University students got the news that Common would be a speaker at this year's commencement, they were thrilled.

On Monday the university announced on Twitter and on its website the musician and actor would deliver the address.

A spokesperson then explained Wednesday that the announcement was "released prematurely".

"Saying that you're going to do something, you should continue to do it whether there's controversy or not, especially being influential," said one student.

"He has a right to talk about what he talks about, everybody does, but overall he's a positive person," another said.

The about face follows an outcry from police over a song the star did in 2000. The track is called "A Song for Assata".

Some believe Common sympathized with Assata Shakir, who in 1977 was convicted of killing New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster. She fled to Cuba after escaping from prison and has been living there as a fugitive.

Some students understand why the decision was made to get another speaker, while others have decided not to talk at commencement in protest.

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

Chris Burgos, president of the State Troopers Fraternal Association of New Jersey, called the choice a "slap in the face."

"What is troubling here is that a state university that is subsidized with state taxpayer funds, is once again being questioned on their decision-making at the highest levels," Burgos said in an emailed statement.

An email seeking comment from Comment's publicist was not immediately returned Wednesday.

(Some information from the Associated Press.)