Universities Brace for Potential Disruptions at Graduation Ceremonies
WASHINGTON — Get ready for the next wave of campus protests, as universities across the US gear up for possible disruptions at upcoming graduation ceremonies.
Four universities recently hit by pro-Palestinian protests are set to hold graduations this weekend, while many others, like Columbia University, have ceremonies scheduled in the coming weeks and months.
As tensions rise, universities are ramping up security measures, while protesters are contemplating walkouts and other forms of protest.
Protesters have been setting up camps and staging demonstrations on campuses, demanding that their universities sever ties with Israel over the conflict in Gaza. In response, many colleges have summoned law enforcement, resulting in numerous arrests.
Since the protests erupted at Columbia University last month, demonstrations have spread to nearly 140 institutions across 45 states and Washington DC, according to a tally by the BBC.
While student protesters have largely remained mum about their plans for disruptions at graduations, a few groups, like IU Divest and the Palestine Solidarity Committee at Indiana University, have called for walk-outs during commencement events.
At Indiana University, protesters are encouraged to show their support for Palestine by wearing keffiyehs along with their cap and gown at the “Liberated Zone” during the graduation ceremony.
Meanwhile, faculty members at various universities, including Indiana University and the University of Michigan, have discussed potential silent protests at commencements to express their discontent with recent administrative decisions.
As graduation ceremonies approach at the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, and the University of Connecticut, officials are bracing for potential disruptions, with plans for designated protest areas and increased security measures.
Despite university efforts to mitigate disruptions, protest groups like the Tahrir Coalition at the University of Michigan remain steadfast in their cause, criticizing the lack of dialogue from university administrations.
While some universities, such as Ohio State University, affirm their commitment to free speech, they also emphasize the importance of maintaining decorum and preventing disruptions during events like commencement.
As tensions escalate, Palestinian-American student Heba Latif, co-president of the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter at Ohio State University, remains tight-lipped about potential protests at the upcoming commencement ceremony.
At Columbia University, where graduation is set for May 15, tensions are high following recent police interventions to clear student occupations on campus. Palestinian international student Mahmoud Khalil affirms that the protest movement will persist despite attempts to quell it.
With graduation season in full swing, the question remains: will these protests culminate in disruptions at commencement ceremonies? Only time will tell. — BBC
