Commencement ceremonies took place at various colleges and universities in the US over the weekend amidst ongoing protests on campus. The protests primarily revolve around demands for schools to divest from entities allegedly supporting or benefiting from Israel's actions in Gaza.
At the University of Southern California (USC), a pro-Palestinian protest encampment was cleared by police without any arrests made. This marked the second dismantling of an encampment at the Los Angeles university. USC's President Carol Folt stated that the protesters had violated the law, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy towards encampments on campus.
DePaul University in Chicago witnessed a large demonstration, prompting the presence of Chicago police to manage the situation. Despite the significant police, protester, and counter-protester turnout, there were no reports of violence or vandalism during the event.
UCLA Chancellor Gene D. Block highlighted the need for urgent safety operation changes at the University of California, Los Angeles following recent violent protests on campus. The university announced a return to regular operations on Monday, with plans to conduct some in-person instruction throughout the week.
At the Art Institute of Chicago, 68 individuals, including students from the affiliated School of the Art Institute of Chicago, were arrested during a demonstration at the museum. Protesters were reported to have engaged in disruptive behavior, including theft of museum keys, blocking emergency exits, and barricading gates.
Pro-Palestinian protesters were removed from the main commencement ceremony at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor after briefly interrupting the proceedings. No arrests were made during the incident. A separate protest also disrupted a smaller ceremony on the campus the day before.
Police at the University of Virginia cleared out pro-Palestinian protesters and dismantled tents near the center of the Charlottesville campus. Video footage showed officers in riot gear approaching protesters, removing umbrellas, and arresting 25 individuals for trespassing.
