In New York City, students and alumni of the City University of New York gathered at John Jay College Wednesday evening to protest former CIA director and military general David Petraeus as he was honored at a gala. Petraeus commanded U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is now teaching a course at CUNY where he has routinely faced protests over his role in U.S. abuses abroad. CUNY alumnus Josmar Trujillo spoke at Wednesday’s action.

Josmar Trujillo: “We’re angry at the fact that, you know, he’s being not only given an opportunity to teach, but he’s being honored and regaled and has fundraisers thrown in his name. We have to say, no, this is beyond academic freedom. This is a complete kind of indoctrination into something which is the idea that America is so exceptional that we can do whatever we want, and the people that do whatever they want and do things even against the will of most of the international community can now, you know, continue to have influence in the society. Our responsibility is to make sure they never have any more influence ever again.”

Six CUNY students are facing charges for protesting Petraeus last month. Two of them are due back in court today.