Columbia President Defends Arrested Student in Controversial Commencement Speech

Columbia University's commencement ceremony took an unexpected turn when acting president Claire Shipman publicly acknowledged Mahmoud Khalil, a recently arrested former graduate student. Shipman's remarks, captured in a short video circulating online, defended Khalil's right to free speech. "And let me also say that we firmly believe that our international students have the same rights to freedom of speech as everyone else," Shipman stated, according to the video. This statement, made during a rainy ceremony, prompted visible reactions from the audience. The video has sparked debate about the university's stance on student activism and freedom of expression. The incident highlights the ongoing tension between academic freedom and potential legal consequences for student actions.