The wave of anti-Israeli protests on college campuses in the United States continued with two demonstrations briefly interrupting graduation proceedings at the University of Michigan. Dozens of protesters wearing keffiyehs and graduation caps marched down the center aisle of Michigan Stadium holding Palestinian flags. Protesters chanted “Regents, regents, you can’t hide! You are funding genocide” in response to the school’s “Go Blue” chant. Planes flew over the stadium bearing messages such as “Divest from Israel now! Free Palestine!” and “We stand with Israel. Jewish lives matter.”
During the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance commencement ceremony, protesters displayed Palestinian flags and signs reading “UM funds genocide.” The disruptors were met with a mix of cheers and boos, and one person shouted, “Get out, get out.” The protest lasted a few minutes before police arrived and the protesters left. One person not affiliated with the university was arrested outside a protest gathering near a dinner for honorary degree recipients. These demonstrations at the University of Michigan may serve as a warning sign for other colleges with upcoming graduations.
At Boston’s Northeastern University, officials are enforcing strict rules for their ceremony at Fenway Park after recent campus protests led to 98 arrests. Rules were already in place prior to the wave of anti-Israel protests. Graduates from the College of Arts, Media, and Design held up messages that said “NEU funds genocide. Divest Now!” after receiving their diplomas. Ohio State University and Indiana University Bloomington are also holding all-school graduation ceremonies this weekend. Anxieties about potential disruptions at university graduations are heightened after the University of Southern California canceled its main commencement ceremony due to security concerns.
Concerns about disruptions at university graduations increased as confrontations between protesters and law enforcement rise. At the University of Virginia, state police raided an anti-Israel encampment on the campus lawn, arresting at least one protester. Photos and videos showed police officers forcibly removing protesters and their tents from the area. Some onlookers reportedly joined the protesters in response to the police response. The tense atmosphere surrounding these protests has led to heightened security measures at graduations and other events on college campuses across the country.
The escalating tensions between pro-Israel and anti-Israel protesters have created an atmosphere of uncertainty and conflict on college campuses. Demonstrations at graduation ceremonies signal a continuation of the ongoing protests against Israeli policies. College administrations are faced with the challenge of balancing free speech rights with maintaining safety and order at major events. The disruptions at University of Michigan and other campuses highlight the importance of open dialogue and understanding on sensitive political issues. These incidents reflect a broader societal divide and the need for peaceful and constructive engagement to address complex geopolitical conflicts.
