Columbia University students have taken a stand against anti-Israel protests on campus, with some students tearing up their diplomas in protest. The university has canceled the main commencement ceremony due to security concerns stemming from the protests.
Columbia University students have expressed their defiance against anti-Israel protests on campus, with some students tearing up their diplomas during commencement ceremonies. The university has canceled the main commencement ceremony due to security concerns stemming from the protests.
In a livestream video of Columbia's School of Social Work commencement ceremony, a female graduate marched on stage with her arms above her head and wrists bound together by a plastic zip-tie. She also wore a keffiyeh, a traditional Arab garment, that was laid across her shoulders on top of her light blue graduation robe.
After being handed her diploma, the graduate turned to the audience and ripped it into several pieces. The zip-ties she wore made the process more difficult than anticipated, and she eventually threw the tattered paper over her head onto the floor.
Many other students in the program coordinated together, wearing various Arabic garments under and on top of their robes and zip-ties to resemble Palestinian war prisoners. One graduate had the name of Hamas leader Mazen Jamal Al-Natsheh written across the top of her cap.
Two other graduates received applause when they showed off a handmade "Free Palestine" sign.
"Thousands of Columbia graduates and their families have already celebrated at Class Day ceremonies that started on Friday and concluded successfully with virtually no disruption," a Columbia spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
"We join in the excitement of the remaining graduates who will celebrate their incredible achievements at their own Class Days and graduation events the rest of this week and as they start their next chapter," the spokesperson added.
Columbia University announced last Monday it canceled the main commencement ceremony on campus, stemming from violent anti-Israel riots, in exchange for a series of smaller events.
"Holding a large commencement ceremony on our campus presented security concerns that unfortunately proved insurmountable," Columbia spokesperson Ben Chang said last week. "Like our students, we are deeply disappointed with the outcome."
A university official told Fox News that security concerns in the wake of recent anti-Israel protests on campus were one of the main reasons for deciding to cancel the larger event. Columbia University has been rocked by a wave of antisemitic protests that have resulted in more than 100 arrests.
The protests have been sparked by the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Students have called for the university to divest from companies that do business with Israel and have demanded that the university take a stronger stand against Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
The university has condemned the antisemitic protests and has said it is committed to protecting the safety of its Jewish students. However, some students have criticized the university for not doing enough to address the issue of antisemitism on campus.
The tearing up of diplomas by students is a symbolic gesture of protest against the university's handling of the anti-Israel protests. It is also a sign of solidarity with Palestinian students who have been affected by the conflict.
