Disruptions at University of Chicago graduation as school withholds 4 diplomas over protests
CHICAGO– Dozens of students protest against the war in Gaza walked out of the university of chicago’s commencement on saturday when the school withheld the diplomas of four seniors because of their involvement in a pro-Palestinian encampment.
The disruption to the rainy, two-hour outdoor ceremony was short-lived, with shouts, cheers and calls to “Stop Genocide.” A crowd of students walked out between speeches. Some sang while holding Palestinian flags, while others wore traditional keffiyeh, black and black clothing. white checked scarves representing Palestinian solidarity, over their robes.
Four graduating seniors, including Youssef Haweh, were informed by email in recent days that their diplomas would be withheld pending disciplinary proceedings related to complaints about the encampment, according to student group UChicago United for Palestine.
“My diploma doesn’t matter if there are people in Palestine and in Gaza who will never step onto a stage again, who will never receive a diploma. What’s with them? Who is going to fight for them?” Haweh said in a Saturday statement.
Students walked out of school at noon Harvard Universitythe Massachusetts Institute of Technology and others have sprung up as protest camps throughout the US and in Europe in recent weeks. Students have demanded their universities stop doing business with Israel or companies they believe support the war in Gaza. Organizers are trying to amplify the call to end Israel’s war with Hamaswhich they describe as a genocide against the Palestinians.
The University of Chicago encampment was cleared on May 7. Administrators had initially taken a tolerant approach but later said the protest had crossed a line and caused growing safety concerns. A group temporarily taken over a building on the school campus.
University officials, who did not return a message Saturday, said the demonstrations prompted formal complaints, including for “disruptive behavior,” and would require further investigation. The students could still participate in the graduation and receive their diplomas if they are later exonerated following the university’s investigation into alleged violations of campus policy.
Thousands of students and faculty members have signed a petition calling on the university to grant the degrees, while more than a dozen Chicago City Council members have written a letter asking for the same.