Stanford University graduation chaos as HUNDREDS of students waving Palestinian flags and keffiyehs walk out during President Richard Saller’s speech
- About 500 students left Stanford’s graduation ceremony on Sunday
- The students were seen wearing keffiyehs and waving Palestinian flags
Stanford University’s graduation ceremony on Sunday was thrown into chaos after students staged a pro-Palestine protest and walked out.
About 500 students, some wearing keffiyehs and holding Palestinian flags, walked out of the stadium during the president’s speech. the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
“This morning we want to celebrate your achievements, despite the difficult circumstances,” President Richard Saller told students just before the mass strike.
The school has been embroiled in controversy as students have publicly demonstrated against the war between Israel and Hamas and called on the college to cut ties with Israel.
A pro-Palestinian encampment remained on campus for more than a hundred days and during its removal, thirteen students were ultimately arrested.
About 500 students left Stanford’s graduation ceremony on Sunday
Footage of the ceremony posted on social media shows students in their caps and gowns walking from their seats, away from the speaker’s podium and toward the back of the stadium.
A student was seen holding up a sign that read ‘Free Palestine. Divest Stanford!”
Some in the stands cheered the students as they left the event, while other students remained seated.
The strike was reportedly organized by the activist group Stanford Against Apartheid in Palestine.
“We invite graduates, friends and family to leave Commencement and walk into our alternative ceremony adjacent to the stadium to show support for divestment and to honor Palestine this graduation weekend,” the group posted on its Instagram account.
“The ceremony will include a poetic base, speeches from teachers and students, and a cap toss,” the message added.
The group organized an alternative ceremony to “The People’s Commencement” on a field on campus, the Chronicle reported.
Security at Stanford’s official graduation ceremony was increased compared to previous years, the outlet reported.
The students were seen wearing keffiyehs and waving Palestinian flags
Last month, an unidentified pro-Palestinian individual was pictured on Stanford’s campus wearing the same green headband as Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
All adults were required to present photo ID and a clear bag policy was enforced.
Only eligible graduates could apply for tickets to the event, after months of protests prompted organizers to be more cautious.
The Stanford protests drew negative headlines when a photo of someone in the encampment was depicted wearing the same green headband as Hamas terror fighters in Gaza.
The incident, which occurred last month, was reported to the FBI, the college said at the time.
“We have received many expressions of concern about a photo circulating on social media of an individual at White Plaza who appeared to be wearing a green headband similar to those worn by members of Hamas,” Stanford said in a statement last month.
“We find this deeply troubling as Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the US government.
“We have not been able to identify the individual, but have forwarded the photo to the FBI,” the statement said.