After weeks of protests across the United States, universities are now preparing for their graduation ceremonies. The wave of pro-Palestinian protests has led to disruptions and security concerns on campuses nationwide.
In Michigan, protesters disrupted the graduation ceremony at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance. Additionally, the University of Vermont announced that the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, will no longer deliver the commencement address due to protests from students.
Similarly, the University of Southern California canceled its main graduation ceremony and withdrew its invitation to speaker Asna Tabassum. Instead, the school will hold a “graduation family party” in May.
In New York, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik condemned the protesters who occupied Hamilton Hall, calling the past two weeks “among the most difficult in Columbia’s history.” The New York Police Department detained 43 people at The New School after the university requested help breaking up illegal encampments.
California universities are also facing challenges. USC has begun disciplinary processes for members who violated policies and laws during the protests. Stanford University authorities have reported a person on campus wearing a headband similar to those worn by Hamas members to the FBI.
In international news, students at Trinity College Dublin have set up a protest camp on campus in solidarity with Palestinians. This comes after the student union was fined for unrest caused by earlier protests.
As universities prepare to hold their graduation ceremonies, the impact of recent protests is evident. The disruption and security concerns highlight the challenges faced by institutions in balancing free speech and safety on their campuses.