1. Pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses
2. Defiant acts at US college graduations in support of Palestine.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : A small group of Duke University graduates staged a protest against pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s commencement speech at the university in North Carolina. Approximately 30 out of the 7,000 students in attendance stood up, chanted “free Palestine,” and waved the Palestinian flag. Seinfeld, known for his iconic sitcom and new Netflix movie “Unfrosted,” was receiving an honorary doctorate from the university.
The comedian has been a vocal supporter of Israel, especially during the recent conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The war, which started with Hamas’ attacks on Israel, resulted in casualties on both sides, with over 1,200 people killed in southern Israel and nearly 35,000 in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The student protest at Duke’s graduation reflects a larger trend of campus activism across the United States. In recent weeks, student protests against Israel have led to arrests at numerous colleges and universities. Students have been calling for their institutions to cut ties with Israel and businesses supporting the country.
At Pomona College in Southern California, pro-Palestinian protesters tried to disrupt the commencement ceremony, leading the school to move the event to the Shrine Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles. Security measures were increased, and tickets were required for entry. In April, police arrested 19 protesters who had occupied the college president’s office.
Similar protests took place at other universities, including UC Berkeley and Emerson College in Boston. Some students at Emerson College removed their graduation robes and displayed messages of solidarity with Palestine. At Columbia University, where the protests originated, the main graduation ceremony was canceled in favor of smaller gatherings.
The University of Southern California faced controversy when it prohibited a valedictorian, who supported Palestinians, from delivering her speech due to security concerns. The university later canceled its main graduation ceremony. DePaul University in Chicago also saw protests from the DePaul Divestment Coalition, urging the university to divest from Israeli economic interests.
The demonstrations have sparked debate on campuses, with some attendees expressing frustration at the disruption of graduation ceremonies. Despite the protests, most commencement events over the weekend remained peaceful. The Associated Press journalists contributed to this report, highlighting the ongoing activism and tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict on college campuses..
Pro-Palestinian protests dwindle on campuses
Pro-Palestinian protests on campuses as US college graduations are marked by defiant acts.
