1. Pro-Palestinian campus demonstrations decline
2. US college graduations disrupted by defiant protests.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
By MORIAH BALINGIT
Associated Press
A small group of Duke University graduates staged a protest during their commencement ceremony in North Carolina on Sunday, opposing the choice of pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld as the keynote speaker. Approximately 30 out of the 7,000 students in attendance stood up, chanting “free Palestine” amidst a mix of boos and cheers.
Some of the protesters waved the red, green, black, and white Palestinian flag as a symbol of their support for the Palestinian cause. Seinfeld, known for his iconic sitcom and recent Netflix movie “Unfrosted,” was at the ceremony to receive an honorary doctorate from the university.
Controversy over Seinfeld’s Support for Israel
The stand-up comic, who has been vocal in his support for Israel, came under scrutiny for his public backing of the country during the conflict in Gaza. Israel’s invasion of Gaza, in response to attacks by Hamas, resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people in southern Israel and nearly 35,000 in Gaza, the majority of whom were women and children according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The protest at Duke University reflects a broader trend of student activism on campuses across the United States. In recent weeks, student protests calling for divestment from Israel and businesses supporting the country have led to arrests at 57 colleges and universities.
Protests Spread Across U.S. Campuses
From Columbia University in New York City to UCLA in California, students have set up encampments and demanded that their institutions sever ties with Israel. At Pomona College in Southern California, pro-Palestinian protesters attempted to block access to the commencement ceremony, leading to additional security measures and a change in venue to the Shrine Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles.
At the University of California, Berkeley, pro-Palestinian demonstrators were escorted to the back of the stadium during commencement, prompting mixed reactions from attendees. While some expressed frustration at the disruption, others voiced support for the protesters’ cause.
Impact on Graduation Ceremonies
The protests at various universities have had repercussions on graduation ceremonies. At Emerson College in Boston, students displayed messages of solidarity with Palestine on their graduation robes and mortar boards. Similarly, at Columbia University, the main graduation ceremony was cancelled in response to student uprisings.
At the University of Southern California, a valedictorian who publicly supported Palestinians was barred from delivering her keynote speech due to security concerns. The university later cancelled its main graduation ceremony altogether.
As the academic year comes to a close, the future of protests and encampments at universities like DePaul in Chicago remains uncertain. The DePaul Divestment Coalition, advocating for divestment from economic interests tied to Israel, has reached an impasse with university officials, leaving the fate of their encampment unresolved.
Conclusion
The student-led protests at Duke University and other campuses reflect a growing movement of activism in support of Palestine. As tensions continue to escalate, universities are grappling with the challenges of balancing academic freedom with the demands of student protesters.
Associated Press journalists Ryan Sun in Los Angeles, Sophia Tareen in Chicago, and Kimberlee Kreusi in Nashville contributed to this report.
The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content.
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– Pro-Palestinian protests on campuses
– US college graduations marked by defiant acts.
