Student Protest Erupts at Columbia University Graduation

Columbia University Graduation Speech Disrupted by Student Protest New York City – President Claire Shipman faced unexpected disruption during her commencement address at Columbia University on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. A group of students staged a protest, chanting "Free Mahmoud," demanding the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student detained by US immigration authorities. The demonstration, captured on video, unfolded outside the main ceremony tent. Students could be seen holding signs and voicing their dissent. While the speech continued, the protest underscored the ongoing tensions surrounding Palestinian rights and immigration issues on American college campuses. "It's not just about Mahmoud," one student, who wished to remain anonymous, stated. "It's about the injustice faced by many Palestinian students in the US." The demonstration reflects a growing student activism movement advocating for Palestinian rights and raising concerns about immigration policies. The protest ended peacefully, but the incident served as a stark reminder of the complex political issues that resonate within the university community. Columbia University has yet to release an official statement regarding the protest.