– Pro-Palestinian demonstrations declining on college campuses
– Decrease in pro-Palestinian activism on US campuses during graduation season.
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A small group of Duke University graduates staged a protest at their commencement ceremony in North Carolina on Sunday, objecting to the presence of pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld. About 30 out of the 7,000 students in attendance stood up and chanted “free Palestine,” while waving Palestinian flags in the air. Seinfeld was at the event to receive an honorary doctorate from the university.
The popular stand-up comic, known for his hit sitcom “Seinfeld,” has been a vocal supporter of Israel, particularly during the recent conflict in Gaza. This support has sparked controversy on college campuses across the United States, with students calling for divestment from companies linked to Israel and its policies.
At Pomona College in Southern California, protesters attempted to disrupt the commencement ceremony by setting up an encampment on the stage. The college responded by moving the event to a different location in downtown Los Angeles and implementing additional security measures.
Similar protests occurred at other universities, including the University of California, Berkeley, where a small group of demonstrators disrupted the graduation ceremony with pro-Palestinian chants and flags. Some attendees expressed frustration at the disruption, feeling that it detracted from the celebration of the graduates.
Despite the protests, the majority of this weekend’s commencement events were peaceful. However, tensions remain high on college campuses as students continue to advocate for divestment from companies supporting Israel.
Challenges and Responses at Various Universities
At Columbia University, student protests led to the cancellation of the main graduation ceremony in favor of smaller gatherings. The University of Southern California faced security concerns over a valedictorian’s support for Palestinians, resulting in the cancellation of its main graduation ceremony.
DePaul University in Chicago is currently at an impasse with pro-Palestinian protesters who have set up an encampment on campus. The group, known as the DePaul Divestment Coalition, is calling for the university to divest from economic interests tied to Israel.
Overall, the student-led protests reflect a larger movement on college campuses to raise awareness about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and advocate for change. While the protests have caused some disruptions, they have also sparked important conversations about divestment and solidarity with Palestinians.
As these issues continue to unfold, universities are facing the challenge of balancing free speech rights with the need to maintain a peaceful and inclusive campus environment. The protests at Duke University and other institutions serve as a reminder of the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the impact it has on campus communities.
Associated Press journalists Ryan Sun in Los Angeles, Sophia Tareen in Chicago, and Kimberlee Kreusi in Nashville, Tennessee, contributed to this report.
The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
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Pro-Palestinian protests on campuses
Defiant acts at US college graduations.
