Protests in favor of Gaza have disrupted commencement ceremonies at universities across the nation, with student protesters voicing their opposition to the war between Israel and Hamas at the events as several schools cancel some of their graduation programs.
The demonstrations have produced tumult at multiple universities amid final exams and graduations, with students erecting tents on their campuses and in some instances forcefully taking over buildings, provoking police responses and hundreds of arrests in recent weeks. Columbia University, which made national news for the protests on their campus, ultimately canceled their school-wide graduation while keeping smaller ceremonies for degree programs.
“Our students emphasized that these smaller-scale, school-based celebrations are most meaningful to them and their families,” Columbia asserted. “They are eager to cross the stage to applause and family pride and hear from their school’s invited guest speakers.”
Columbia students were instead invited to attend a student-led commencement scheduled for the original day of the university-wide celebration.
Officials at the University of Southern California likewise said they will “not be able to host the main stage ceremony” this year due to “new safety measures,” while students will still be able to cross the stage at ceremonies for their individual schools. Asna Tabassum, the University of Southern California valedictorian whose address at the commencement was canceled, wore a tassel with the colors of the Palestine flag at her engineering school graduation.
Tabassum published a copy of what would have been her commencement address in the school student newspaper, with most of the content self-censored in a possible reflection of the censorship she believes to have received from the university.
Students at Duke University staged a walkout from commencement over the weekend as Jerry Seinfeld, a supporter of Israel, received an honorary degree and addressed the crowd. Others at Emerson College left their graduation robes on stage, displayed their black and white keffiyeh scarves, or otherwise voiced their support for Palestine at the ceremony.
