Protests over the Israel-Hamas war have erupted on U.S. university and college campuses in recent weeks, resulting in disruptions and arrests. Despite this, most graduation ceremonies proceeded as planned and remained peaceful. At Duke University, graduates protested against pro-Israel speaker Jerry Seinfeld, waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Free Palestine.” Seinfeld was at the commencement to receive an honorary doctorate from the university. The popular comedian has been vocal in his support for Israel since the country’s invasion of Gaza to dismantle Hamas.
Southern California’s Pomona College faced challenges with pro-Palestinian protesters setting up an encampment on the campus’ ceremony stage. The commencement had to be moved to the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Students demanded the college consider divesting its endowment funds from corporations linked to the conflict in Gaza. At Emerson College in Boston, disruptive protests occurred during the commencement ceremony, with some graduates wearing Palestinian scarves and dropping their gowns on the stage after receiving their diplomas.
At Virginia Commonwealth University, dozens of graduating students walked out during a speech by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, displaying support for Palestinians and opposition to the governor’s policies on education. The University of California, Berkeley also saw pro-Palestinian demonstrators during their commencement, with some attendees expressing frustration. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, red paint was splattered on the steps of a building by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, and chants were heard on campus.
A group of demonstrators at the University of Wisconsin-Madison staged a silent protest during their commencement ceremony, with some carrying a Palestinian flag. The protesters had agreed to dismantle their encampment in exchange for the opportunity to engage with university decision-makers. Meanwhile, at the University of Texas at Austin, a student held up a Palestinian flag during the commencement ceremony, briefly causing a disruption. Northeastern University’s commencement in Boston proceeded peacefully, with some students waving flags from various nations.
Tragically, a woman fell to her death during the graduation ceremony for Ohio State University, with reports suggesting it was an apparent suicide. Protests were also present at the University of Michigan’s commencement, with some graduates displaying Palestinian flags and banners calling for the university to sever financial ties with companies connected to Israel. The protests did not disrupt the event, and the university allowed protesters to set up an encampment on campus. The demonstrations highlight the ongoing tensions and divisions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, leading to widespread activism and calls for change within university communities.
