Boos Erupt at Columbia Commencement as Acting President Addresses Absent Activist

Columbia University's commencement ceremony was disrupted by a chorus of boos directed at acting President Claire Shipman. This marked the second consecutive day of protests at the event. The source of the discontent? The absence of Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student and pro-Palestinian activist. During her address, Shipman acknowledged Khalil's absence, stating, "We firmly believe that our international students have the same rights to freedom of speech as everyone else, and they should not be targeted by the government for exercising that right." She also noted that many in the community were mourning Khalil's absence. The protests highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding Palestinian rights on college campuses and the importance of free speech for all students. The event underscores the complexities of balancing institutional authority with student activism and freedom of expression.