US Universities Graduation ceremonies stage more Gaza protests

Over the past week, graduation ceremonies at several US colleges have been significantly impacted by protests in support of Gaza. At Duke University in North Carolina, students stood up and left their seats as comedian Jerry Seinfeld, known for his support of Israel, began his commencement address. They chanted “Free Palestine” and showcased Palestinian flags, signaling their protest against Seinfeld’s political stance. Similarly, the University of California, Berkeley witnessed hundreds of students actively disrupting commencement speeches. Students not only chanted slogans but also took over additional seating areas, drawing attention to their cause without major incident from security. Moreover, at Virginia Commonwealth University, about 100 students walked out of their commencement ceremony as Governor Glenn Youngkin spoke. These actions highlight a dual focus of the protests: they are a response to the immediate crisis in Gaza and a critique of perceived institutional complicity through investments and policies that support Israeli actions.