Pro-Palestine Protesters Disrupt Columbia Graduation with Diploma Burning, Arrests

This year's U.S. university commencement ceremonies have been marked by intense protests against Israel's actions in Gaza, reflecting a broader national debate and heightened political tensions. At Columbia University, anti-Israel demonstrators disrupted the graduation, burning diplomas and chanting for the release of a former student detained by ICE for alleged Hamas-related activities, leading to arrests and police intervention. Similarly, at George Washington University, a graduating student used her commencement speech to condemn Israel's war crimes and criticize the university's financial ties to Israel, prompting an official apology and an investigation into possible code of conduct violations. These protests occur amid increased pressure from the Trump administration, which has criticized universities for not curbing pro-Palestinian activism and withheld billions in federal funds from schools like Harvard and Columbia as a consequence. The controversies underscore how commencements have become flashpoints for political expression, with universities facing challenges balancing free speech, campus order, and financial repercussions. This wave of activism and administrative responses highlights the deep divisions and high stakes surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict on American campuses.