College Graduation Ceremonies Marked by Protests and Political Statements
Commencement season, traditionally a time for celebration and closure, has increasingly become a stage for political expression and protest. Recent graduation ceremonies across the United States have been marked by student walkouts, demonstrations, and controversial speaker selections, reflecting the heightened tensions surrounding current political and social issues.
Protests Against Speakers
Several universities faced backlash for their choice of commencement speakers, leading to student-led protests and walkouts. These actions underscore a growing trend of students using graduation ceremonies as a platform to voice their disapproval of political figures and policies.
Virginia Commonwealth University
At Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, dozens of graduating students walked out during an address by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. Approximately 100 students and family members left the ceremony, with some expressing support for Palestinians and others signaling opposition to Youngkin’s policies on education. Videos on social media captured students standing up and walking out as Youngkin began his speech, later marching through the streets of Richmond to further their message. Despite the walkout, Youngkin shared a post on X about his speech but did not address the protest.
Duke University
Duke University's commencement address by comedian Jerry Seinfeld, a public supporter of Israel, also sparked controversy. A small group of about 30 out of 7,000 graduates left their seats and chanted “Free Palestine!” during Seinfeld's speech. This protest occurred amid a mix of boos and cheers, highlighting the deep divisions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
University of Alabama
Prior to his address, President Donald Trump accepted an invitation to deliver a “spring commencement address” at the University of Alabama. Tanner Roden, a University alum, created a petition denouncing Trump’s commencement address. “I personally am not going to sit and watch the school, my alma mater, bend the back to a tyrannous president,” he said, “At the end of the day, saying that you’re from The University of Alabama means so much more, knowing that we come from tradition, that we come from uniqueness, and that we come from strength. The UA College Democrats and the Queer Student Association also released statements on Instagram criticizing the University for hosting Trump. “Graduation should be about celebration and closure,” the Gen Act executive board said.
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Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a recurring theme in many graduation protests. Students have used their commencement ceremonies to advocate for Palestinian rights and protest university ties to companies connected to Israel.
Pomona College
Pomona College in Southern California moved its commencement ceremony 30 miles to the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles after pro-Palestinian protesters set up an encampment on the campus’ ceremony stage. A few dozen demonstrators attempted to block access to the graduation event. Anwar Mohmed, a Pomona senior, stated that the school had repeatedly ignored calls to divest its endowment funds from corporations tied to the war in Gaza.
Emerson College
At Emerson College in Boston, student protesters frequently disrupted the commencement ceremony with chants. Several speakers paused and then spoke louder to continue their addresses. Some graduates wore Palestinian keffiyeh scarves, while others removed their graduation gowns and dropped them on the stage after receiving their diplomas.
University of California, Berkeley
At the University of California, Berkeley, a small group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators waved flags and chanted during commencement. They were escorted to the back of the stadium, and while there were no major counterprotests, some attendees expressed frustration.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill splattered red paint on the steps of a building hours before the school's commencement. They also chanted on campus while students wearing graduation gowns posed for photos.
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University of Wisconsin-Madison
A small group of demonstrators at the University of Wisconsin-Madison staged a silent protest during commencement at Camp Randall Stadium, standing in the rear of the stadium.
University of Michigan
At the University of Michigan, police officers stood by as graduates holding Palestinian flags and shouting pro-Palestinian messages protested during commencement. One banner read, “No universities left in Gaza.” The protests were located away from the stage and did not halt the ceremony, which lasted nearly two hours. Protesters have demanded that the university cut financial ties with any companies connected to Israel.
Other Forms of Protest and Disruption
Beyond protests related to specific speakers or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, some graduation ceremonies faced other forms of disruption and tragedy.
Northeastern University
Police arrested approximately 100 protesters at Northeastern University last month after they broke up an encampment on campus.
Ohio State University
A tragic incident occurred at Ohio State University's graduation ceremony when a 53-year-old woman fell from the stands to her death. The fall happened near where the last graduates were filing into Ohio Stadium, and the death was investigated as an apparent suicide.
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Balancing Free Speech and Ceremony
The events at these college graduations highlight the tension between the right to free speech and the desire to maintain a celebratory atmosphere. Universities are tasked with balancing these competing interests, ensuring that students can express their views while also preserving the significance of the commencement ceremony for all graduates and their families.
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