Jerry Seinfeld : “Pro-Palestinian Campus Protests Fading as US Graduations Spark Defiance”

A small group of Duke University graduates caused a stir at their commencement ceremony in North Carolina on Sunday by protesting against pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who was invited to speak. Around 30 out of the 7,000 students in attendance stood up from their seats and chanted “free Palestine,” while others expressed a mix of boos and cheers.

The students waved the Palestinian flag in red, green, black, and white colours as Seinfeld, known for his iconic sitcom, was awarded an honorary doctorate from the university. The comedian has been a vocal supporter of Israel, particularly during the conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

The protest at Duke’s graduation is part of a larger trend on college campuses across the United States, where students have been calling for divestment from companies linked to Israel. This movement has gained momentum, with nearly 2,900 arrests at 57 colleges and universities in recent weeks.

At Southern California’s Pomona College, pro-Palestinian demonstrators attempted to disrupt the commencement ceremony, leading the school to relocate the event to downtown Los Angeles. The protesters had set up an encampment on the stage, prompting additional security measures.

Meanwhile, at Emerson College in Boston, graduating students made symbolic gestures of solidarity with Palestine by displaying messages on their mortar boards and robes. Some even wore kaffiyeh scarves and painted symbols on their hands to show support for the occupied territories.

Protests also took place at Columbia University and the University of Southern California, where speeches were cancelled due to security concerns. The tension between pro-Palestinian activists and university administrations is a recurring theme on campuses nationwide.

At DePaul University in Chicago, the future of a student-led divestment campaign remains uncertain as talks with university officials have reached an impasse. The DePaul Divestment Coalition is advocating for the university to sever ties with entities supporting Israel.

The events at various universities highlight the ongoing debate surrounding Israel and Palestine, with students using their graduation platforms to voice their opinions and demand action from their institutions.

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