Chaos at Columbia Graduation: Students Protest Detainee's Absence

Columbia University Graduation Marred by Protest Over Detainee Mahmoud Khalil New York City – Columbia University's 2025 commencement ceremony was unexpectedly disrupted by a protest demanding the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian-born graduate detained without criminal charges. The event, which took place on May 21st, saw graduates and alumni voicing their discontent both inside and outside the ceremony venue. Inside the main tent, graduates loudly booed acting President Claire Shipman during her speech. Shipman, in response, acknowledged Khalil's absence, adding a layer of complexity to the already tense atmosphere. One graduate, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, "We couldn't ignore this injustice. Mahmoud's absence is a stain on this day." Outside, a more dramatic scene unfolded. Alumni burned their diplomas in protest, chanting slogans like "Free Mahmoud!" and "Columbia, you can't hide!" Josh Dubnau, a Columbia alumnus interviewed at the protest, expressed his shame at the university's response, stating, "The university is essentially capitulating to the Trump administration. There's nothing anti-Semitic about criticizing Israel, about criticizing genocide, or even about criticizing Zionism." The protest highlights the deep divisions surrounding Khalil's detention and underscores the power of student activism in challenging institutional policies. The university's response to this demonstration and the underlying issue of Khalil's detention will be closely watched.