– Pro-Palestinian protests
– US college graduations
– Subtle acts
– Pro-Palestinian demonstrations
– Graduation ceremonies
– Palestinian solidarity movements.
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A demonstrator carries supplies over breached barriers to join a pro-Palestinian encampment at MIT in Cambridge, Mass.(Photo: PTI)
A small group of Duke University graduates made a stand against pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld at their commencement in North Carolina on Sunday. Approximately 30 out of the 7,000 students in attendance left their seats to chant “free Palestine,” amidst a mix of reactions including boos and cheers.
Some students waved the Palestinian flag in red, green, black, and white colours. Seinfeld, known for his popular sitcom, was present to receive an honorary doctorate from the university.
The comedian, who stars in the new Netflix film “Unfrosted,” has been a vocal supporter of Israel since its military action in Gaza to combat Hamas. The conflict resulted in significant casualties, with the Health Ministry in Gaza reporting a death toll of nearly 35,000, mostly comprising women and children.
In response to these events, students at various universities in the US have initiated protests, advocating for divestment from Israel and associated businesses. From Columbia University in New York City to UCLA, demonstrators have set up encampments on campuses.
At Southern California’s Pomona College, a small group of pro-Palestinian protesters attempted to disrupt the commencement ceremony. The college relocated the event to a different venue in downtown Los Angeles due to the encampment set up by demonstrators on the original campus stage.
The tension between pro-Palestinian activists and university administrations has also been evident at other institutions. At Pomona College, 19 protesters were arrested for occupying the president’s office, demanding divestment from corporations linked to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Anwar Mohmed, a senior at Pomona College, expressed frustration with the institution’s lack of response to their demands. Despite facing resistance, Mohmed emphasized the need for change, stating, “Today we have to say, it’s not business as usual.”
Similar protests occurred at the University of California, Berkeley, where pro-Palestinian demonstrators raised flags and chanted during the commencement ceremony. While some attendees voiced frustration at the disruption, the events remained largely peaceful.
The activism extended to other universities as well. At Emerson College in Boston, graduates displayed messages of solidarity with Palestine, including wearing symbols like the kaffiyeh and painting watermelon images on their hands. However, efforts to convey these messages were met with limited visibility during the ceremony.
The wave of protests that swept across campuses in the US has led to significant disruptions in traditional graduation ceremonies. Columbia University canceled its main graduation event in response to student uprisings, while the University of Southern California faced security concerns over a valedictorian’s support for Palestinians.
The impact of these protests has been felt at DePaul University in Chicago as well, where the future of a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus remains uncertain. The DePaul Divestment Coalition, advocating for divestment from Israel-related interests, has faced challenges in negotiations with university officials.
As the academic year draws to a close, the clash between pro-Palestinian activists and university administrations continues to unfold, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding divestment from Israel and its associated businesses.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
