Pro-Palestinian Protests Continue at Harvard and UCLA
Hundreds of attendees at the Harvard College graduation ceremony staged a walkout to support 13 students who were barred from graduation due to their participation in pro-Palestinian protests.
On Wednesday, the Harvard administration overturned a faculty decision that would have allowed the barred students to participate in the graduation ceremony. This decision angered many attendees, who chanted slogans such as “Let them walk” for about 10 minutes during the protest.
Interim President Alan M. Garber addressed the protest during his speech at the ceremony, stating, “As our ceremony proceeds, some among us may choose to express themselves to draw attention to global events. It is their right to do so.”
Tensions with Protesters at UCLA
In Los Angeles, police faced off with pro-Palestinian protesters at UCLA’s Westwood campus. Protesters gathered at Kerckhoff Patio and then moved to occupy Dodd Hall. In the afternoon, a Palestinian flag was hung from an upper floor window of Dodd Hall.
UCLA administrators issued a statement saying no encampments would be allowed this time. Protesters were warned that they would be arrested and face disciplinary action, including a seven-day suspension from campus, if they did not disperse.
Developments at Harvard and UCLA
On Wednesday, Harvard announced it would award 1,539 diplomas to Harvard College students this year. The university also stated that if the 13 barred students successfully appealed their cases, their diplomas would be expedited.
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block spoke before the House Committee on Education and Labor on Thursday regarding campus unrest. Block expressed regret over the delay in dismantling an earlier encampment in April, saying, “There is no encampment, and we have no problematic demonstrations.”