Protesters briefly disrupted an outdoor commencement address given by Brown University's president on Sunday. Shortly after the speech began, shouting interrupted the event as the graduates were being addressed. The disruption lasted for several minutes before the speech resumed, with some individuals continuing to voice their dissent.
A group known as Brown Alumni for Palestine claimed responsibility for the disruption, stating that they represent over 2,000 alumni who have vowed to withhold donations from the university until the corporation divests from companies involved in the Gaza conflict.
Another group, the Rhode Island Coalition for Israel, also organized a protest outside the ceremony. They flew a banner in support of Israel and the U.S.-Israel alliance.
Anti-war demonstrations at several universities, including Brown, have recently come to a halt following agreements between school leaders and pro-Palestinian protesters. These agreements aimed to prevent disruptions during final exams and graduation ceremonies.
Deals struck at various schools, such as Brown, Northwestern, and Rutgers, have stood out amidst the nationwide campus unrest since mid-April. Some schools experienced disruptions like tent encampments and building takeovers, affecting classes and operations.
As part of the agreements, universities committed to reviewing their investments in Israel and considering calls to cease business dealings with the country. Many protester demands focused on ties to the Israeli military amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Pro-Palestinian protesters at Brown agreed to dismantle their encampment following negotiations with school officials. Students were given the opportunity to present arguments for divesting Brown's endowment from companies linked to the Gaza conflict.
Furthermore, Brown's president announced plans to seek recommendations on divestment from an advisory committee by September 30. The proposal will then be presented to the school's governing corporation for a vote in October.
