Anti-Israel protestors disrupted commencement ceremonies in various universities across the U.S., following weeks of demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas war. The intensity of the protests varied, with some participants engaging in disruptive behavior, while others held silent protests. At Virginia Commonwealth University, dozens of students and their families walked out during a speech by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, with some showing support for Palestinians and others signaling opposition to Youngkin’s policies on education.
At the University of Arizona, police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators ahead of commencement celebrations. The university said that demonstrators constructed an encampment on campus property in violation of school policy, prompting police intervention. Meanwhile, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a small group of demonstrators staged a silent protest during commencement. The university reached an agreement with anti-Israel protesters to dismantle their encampment in exchange for increased support for scholars and students affected by conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
At the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, anti-Israel protesters splattered red paint on the steps of a building and held a moment of silence in honor of those killed in Gaza since Hamas’ attack on Israel in October. In Texas, a student at the University of Texas, Austin, briefly held up a Palestinian flag on stage during commencement before being escorted away by security. Following the ceremony, students, faculty, and demonstrators walked out of the stadium holding a “Free Palestine” flag.
At the University of California, Berkeley, hundreds of anti-Israel protesters disrupted a commencement ceremony by waving flags and chanting, while at Duke University, students walked out on comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s commencement speech, chanting “free Palestine.” Despite the disruptions, Seinfeld managed to deliver his speech. Overall, the Associated Press has reported at least 75 instances of arrests at U.S. campus protests related to the Israel-Hamas war, with nearly 2,900 people arrested at 57 colleges and universities.
The disruptions at commencement ceremonies reflect the ongoing tensions and demonstrations related to the Israel-Hamas war on U.S. campuses. Protests ranged from silent demonstrations to more disruptive behavior, including police intervention and arrests. Universities such as Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Arizona, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison dealt with varying levels of protest activities during their commencement ceremonies. The demonstrations highlight the complexities of navigating political issues on college campuses and the challenges of maintaining a peaceful and inclusive academic environment amidst conflicting viewpoints.
