Graduates, students stage small protests, walkouts at U.S. college commencements
Small pro-Palestinian protests popped up sporadically Saturday as colleges and universities from North Carolina to California held commencement ceremonies, including dozens of graduating students at Virginia Commonwealth University who walked out on an address by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
While some of the estimated 100 students and family members who left during the Republican governor’s speech showed support for Palestinians, others held signs signaling opposition to Youngkin’s policies on education, according to WRIC-TV.
At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a small group of demonstrators staged what appeared to be a silent protest during commencement. A photo posted by the Wisconsin State Journal showed about six people walking through the stadium, with two carrying a Palestinian flag.
The demonstration came after protesters agreed Friday to permanently dismantle their twoweek-old encampment and not disrupt graduation ceremonies in return for the opportunity to connect with “decision-makers” who control university investments by July 1. The university agreed to increase support for scholars and students affected by wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
At the University of Texas, Austin, a student held up a Palestinian flag during a commencement ceremony and refused to leave the stage before being escorted away by security.
Saturday’s events were less dramatic than what happened on other campuses Friday, when police made dozens of arrests as protest encampments were dismantled at the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Those actions came hours after police tear-gassed demonstrators at the University of Arizona.
The AP has recorded at least 75 instances since April 18 in which arrests were made at U.S. campus protests. Nearly 2,900 people have been arrested at 57 colleges and universities.