After weeks of pro-Palestinian protests on campuses across the country that led to the arrests of more than 2,300 people, many universities are currently retooling for upcoming graduation ceremonies, and many universities are currently retooling for upcoming graduation ceremonies. Some universities hold classes on weekends.
Northeastern University of Michigan, Arizona State University and Ohio State University are among the schools where protests have occurred, with graduation ceremonies scheduled for this weekend. As students at dozens of educational institutions continue to protest in support of Palestinian human rights, school administrators have warned that anyone who attempts to disrupt the ceremony will be removed from campus.
“We salute everyone who came to share their experiences,” Arizona State University said on its website. “Individuals who engage in inappropriate or disruptive behavior may be removed from the event.”
Students waved Palestinian flags during Saturday's graduation ceremony at the University of Michigan. Empty banners carried messages such as “Get out of Israel now! Free Palestine!” “We support that Jewish lives in Israel matter.”
In a statement released after the start, Colleen Mastony, UMich's assistant vice president for public affairs, said about 75 protesters took to the main aisle to demonstrate loudly at the start of the program. Ta. They were escorted by public safety personnel to the rear of the stadium and remained there until the end of the game.
“There were no arrests,” Mastony said. “Peaceful protests like this have taken place at UM commencement ceremonies for decades. The university supports freedom of speech and expression, and university leaders today We are delighted that the graduation ceremony was a proud and triumphant moment in recognition of the achievements of our extraordinary graduates.”
Authorities are also hiring additional security personnel at the venue and screening attendees, according to the Associated Press.
Columbia University is reconsidering a graduation ceremony scheduled for May 15 after police cleared weeks of encampments and Hamilton Hall on campus, university officials said. After a meeting with university leaders on Friday, two members of the student government said administrators were unsure whether they would be able to hold graduation ceremonies at the main campus in Morningside Heights, Manhattan, due to safety concerns. He said he had expressed his intention.
University officials said the main graduation ceremony will be canceled, but smaller events are still planned. It was unclear as of Saturday whether a final decision had been made.
Protests have continued on campuses across the country and are still ongoing. New York University and the New School in New York.
University of Virginia the security department declared A protest was held on the campus on Saturday, calling for an “unlawful assembly” and asking local residents to avoid the area. Local police and other law enforcement agencies are on campus and camps have been set up.
At Princeton University, a group of students launched a food strike as part of a protest in support of the Palestinian cause. Princeton Israel Apartheid Divest, the leader of the campaign, did not say how many students would participate.
“Participants will refrain from all food and drink (except water) until our requests are met,” the organization said in an Instagram post. “We dedicate ourselves to their liberation of Palestine. Princeton, listen now! We are not moved!”
At the University of Mississippi, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters was surrounded by a larger, more rowdy group. A group of counter-protesters on Thursday. Police had to escort demonstrators from pro-Palestinian groups into the building to ensure their safety. Videos of the protests posted on social media show a multiracial group of 30 to 60 pro-Palestinian protesters being separated by a large crowd of what appears to be about 200 mostly white youth. They are seen surrounded and screaming.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the United States are currently gaining momentum around the world, from London, Paris and Rome to Sydney, Tokyo and Beirut.
The students told NBC News they were also inspired by the protests around the world, which began in response to Israel's months-long military offensive against the Gaza Strip. Due to the dramatic scenes that have taken place at US universities in recent weeks.
Pro-Palestinian protests have erupted at France's Polytechnic Institute, the University of Leeds in the UK, and the University of Sydney in Australia.