Small pro-Palestinian protests held Saturday as college commencements are held

NEW DELHI: Small protests supporting Palestine appeared randomly on Saturday as educational institutions across the United States, from North Carolina to California, conducted graduation events. This included a group of graduating students at Virginia Commonwealth University who left during a speech by governor Glenn Youngkin.

Some of the approximately 100 students and family members who departed during the speech by the Republican governor expressed solidarity with Palestinians, while others displayed signs indicating disagreement with Youngkin's education policies, as reported by WRIC-TV.

A small group of demonstrators at the University of Wisconsin-Madison staged what seemed to be a quiet protest during the commencement at Camp Randall Stadium. The Wisconsin State Journal posted a photo showing approximately six individuals walking at the back of the stadium, two of whom were carrying a Palestinian flag.

Marc Lovicott, a spokesperson for campus police, said the group, which he believed were students because they were wearing caps and gowns, "was kind of guided out but they left on their own." No arrests were made.

The demonstration came after pro-Palestinian protesters at the campus agreed Friday to permanently dismantle their two-week-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 has agreed to enhance support for scholars and students impacted by conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill splattered red paint on the steps of a building before the school's commencement ceremony. They chanted on campus while students in light blue graduation gowns posed for photos, as reported by the News & Observer. During a commencement ceremony at the University of Texas, Austin, a student held up a Palestinian flag and briefly refused to leave the stage before being escorted away by security.

A small group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators at the University of California, Berkeley started waving flags and chanting during commencement. They were then escorted to the back of the stadium, where they were joined by others, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. Although there were no significant counterprotests, some attendees expressed frustration.

"I feel like they're ruining it for those of us who paid for tickets and came to show our pride for our graduates," said Annie Ramos, whose daughter is a student. "There's a time and a place, and this is not it."

The events on Saturday were not as dramatic as those on other campuses on Friday, where police arrested many people as they dismantled pro-Palestinian protest encampments at the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These actions occurred shortly after the police used tear gas on protesters and dismantled a similar camp at the University of Arizona.

The Associated Press has documented at least 75 cases since April 18 where arrests occurred during protests on U.S. college campuses. Almost 2,900 individuals have been detained at 57 colleges and universities. These statistics are derived from reports by the Associated Press and statements provided by educational institutions and law enforcement agencies.

At Virginia Commonwealth University, Youngkin, who also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters at Saturday's commencement, did not appear to address the students who left the event.

"The world needs your music," Youngkin said during his speech. "You, all of you, will be the symphony. Make it a masterpiece.