Universities brace for disruption at graduations by Gaza war protesters
The next phase of campus protests may be on the horizon, as universities across the United States brace themselves for potential disruptions during graduation ceremonies.
This weekend, four universities, previously shaken by pro-Palestinian demonstrations, are set to host their commencement events. Meanwhile, numerous others, such as Columbia University, have slated ceremonies for the coming weeks and into June.
Universities are ramping up security measures while protestors weigh options for walkouts and other forms of activism.
The demonstrations, sparked by calls for universities to sever ties with Israel amid the Gaza conflict, have seen protestors establishing camps and staging rallies on campuses nationwide. In response, many colleges have involved law enforcement, resulting in numerous arrests.
According to a tally by the BBC, protests have unfolded at nearly 140 institutions across 45 states and Washington D.C. since the initial unrest at Columbia University last month.
While student activists have largely remained tight-lipped about plans for disruptions during graduations—commonly known as commencements in the U.S.—Indiana University’s IU Divest and the Palestine Solidarity Committee have broken the silence. These groups, whose encampment on the Bloomington campus was recently dismantled by police, are calling for a walkout during graduation events.
A social media post encourages participants to display their pro-Palestine stance at the ‘Liberated Zone,’ a designated protest area on the campus. The post also urges attendees to don a keffiyeh alongside their cap and gown.
The walkout is scheduled to coincide with the commencement address by Pamela Whitten, the university president. Whitten recently faced a vote of no confidence from faculty members over concerns about academic freedom, following the cancellation of a Palestinian artist’s exhibition and the suspension of a faculty member who supported a pro-Palestinian student group.
Additionally, faculty members have reportedly discussed staging a “silent protest” outside the commencement venue to express their discontent while avoiding disruption to the event itself.
The University of Michigan, Ohio State University, and the University of Connecticut – all of which have experienced demonstrations over the last two weeks – have graduations on 4 and 5 May.
The University of Michigan officials have announced plans for designated protest areas, where banners and flags will be prohibited and protesters will be subject to security screenings.
The commencement will be watched over by volunteers who will “respond to disruptions, beginning with warnings”, according to the university’s website.
Alifa Chowdhury, of the Tahrir Coalition protest group, declined to comment on whether any disruptions were planned. She said the university had “completely ignored” offers to negotiate.
“It makes sense that they have been implementing strategies and training staff to make sure protests aren’t happening,” she said.
Nearly 200 miles (320km) to the south, Ohio State University President Ted Carter has vowed to protect students’ right to free speech while at the same time enforcing rules that bar “intentional disruptions of university events, classes, exams or programming, including commencement”.
Heba Latif, a Palestinian-American student and co-president of the school’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), would not say whether any protests were planned for the 5 May commencement ceremony.
Graduation is scheduled for 15 May at Columbia. Police entered the campus earlier this week to clear a student occupation and are due to remain on campus throughout the commencement season.
Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian international student at Columbia, told the BBC that the protest movement would continue regardless.
“Students have been protesting since October,” said Mr Khalil.
“They’ve received disciplinary notices from the university, and suspensions, probation, and that has not stopped anyone.
“I don’t see how bringing in the police will stop this movement.”
Protesters at Columbia did not reply when asked repeatedly if any disruptions were planned.
