Jerry Seinfeld : Pro-Palestinian Protests Fade at US Colleges, Graduations Marred by Defiant Acts – WFTV

A small group of Duke University graduates made headlines on Sunday as they protested the presence of renowned comedian Jerry Seinfeld at their commencement ceremony in North Carolina. Approximately 30 out of the 7,000 graduating students stood up and chanted “free Palestine” in opposition to Seinfeld, who was there to receive an honorary doctorate from the university.

The peaceful protest saw some students waving the Palestinian flag while expressing their disapproval of Seinfeld’s public support for Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Seinfeld, best known for his iconic sitcom and recent Netflix film “Unfrosted,” has been vocal about his backing of Israel’s actions in response to Hamas attacks.

The demonstration at Duke University reflects a wider trend of student activism on campuses across the United States, with recent weeks witnessing a surge in protests demanding institutions cut ties with Israel and associated businesses. From Columbia University to UCLA, students have been setting up encampments and organizing rallies to raise awareness about the situation in Gaza.

In a similar vein, Southern California’s Pomona College faced disruptions as pro-Palestinian protesters tried to obstruct the commencement ceremony. Following previous sit-ins and calls for divestment from corporations linked to the conflict, tensions ran high as security measures were heightened to ensure the event proceeded smoothly.

Meanwhile, at Berkeley’s graduation, a small group of demonstrators raised Palestinian flags and voiced their support for the cause. While there were no major clashes, some attendees expressed frustration at the disruption caused by the protesters.

Despite these incidents, this weekend’s commencement events remained largely peaceful across various universities, with students using platforms like Emerson College in Boston to convey messages of solidarity with Palestine. At DePaul University in Chicago, ongoing discussions between the administration and pro-Palestinian groups have yet to yield a resolution, leaving the future of their encampment uncertain.

As tensions continue to simmer on college campuses, the debate over Israel-Palestine solidarity is likely to persist, prompting institutions to navigate the delicate balance between free speech and maintaining a conducive learning environment.

For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to our coverage.