Protests over former Mexican President Felipe Calderón's appointment at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government as a visiting fellow have intensified. Close to 30, 000 signatures have been collected in an online petition to David T. Ellwood, dean of the Kennedy School.
Protestors both Mexican and American, allege that during Calderón's tenure as President, his government was responsible for over 60,000 deaths amid Mexico's drug war and forced disappearances in the country.
Two famous Mexican human rights activists wrote a letter to Ellwood demanding an explanation over offering an academic position to Calderón.
An excerpt from the letter:
"We believe professor Ellwood, that the appointment of President Calderón as a visiting fellow at the Kennedy school, is an insult to the victims of violence in Mexico. That is why we respectfully request that you send to us a written statement in which you explain the reasons for which the Kennedy School decided to offer this fellowship to Felipe Calderón," Fox News reports.
The letter was signed by Javier Sicilia, a Mexican poet and outspoken critic of the drug war and Sergio Aguayo, a prominent political scientist among others.
"It's a total disgrace to the families of Mexican citizens who lost their lives because of the drug war," John Randolph, who worked for the US Border Patrol for 26 years, told Mother Jones.
Randolph also started a petition on Change.org, which has close to 6,700 signatures.
Calderón's one year Angelopoulos Global Public Leaders fellowship is expected to start this month. The fellowship will include lecture presentations, interactions with students and help them write case studies about government and public policy.
"President Calderon is a vivid example of a dynamic and committed public servant, who took on major challenges in Mexico," Ellwood said in a statement. "He brings with him experience and knowledge that will inform and inspire Kennedy School students and faculty, and I am thrilled he will be returning to Harvard Kennedy School."
Calderón, 50, holds a master's degree from the Kennedy School. He stepped down as President in November.
"I am excited about the chance to return to Harvard Kennedy School once my presidential term comes to an end," Calderon said. "This Fellowship will be a tremendous opportunity for me to reflect upon my six years in office, to connect with scholars and students at Harvard, and to begin work on the important papers that will document the many challenges that we faced, and the policy positions that we developed during my administration."
Before considering Harvard, Calderón approached University of Texas. However, he failed to get a fellowship as students and faculty members staged similar protests blaming him for the deaths of young people in the war.
