Harvard Graduates Protest at Commencement, Chanting ‘Free, Free Palestine’

A large group of students in graduation attire exited the Harvard commencement ceremony on Thursday while chanting “Free, free Palestine.” This action followed weeks of protests on campus and a recent announcement that 13 students involved in a protest encampment would not be receiving their diplomas alongside their peers.

During the commencement, some students vocalized their support for allowing the 13 students to graduate, chanting “Let them walk, let them walk.”

Student speaker Shruthi Kumar addressed the issue of freedom of speech at Harvard, expressing disappointment in the university’s handling of the situation.

She highlighted the 13 undergraduates who were not permitted to graduate, prompting cheers and applause from the audience. Kumar emphasized the importance of civil rights and democratic principles.

The encampment participants had called for a ceasefire in Gaza and urged Harvard to divest from companies supporting the conflict.

Commencement speaker Maria Ressa encouraged the graduates to stand up for their beliefs and emphasized the importance of peaceful protests.

Asmer Asrar Safi, one of the affected students, criticized Harvard’s actions as an attempt to silence dissenting voices.

Alaha Nasari, another graduate, expressed disappointment in the lack of faculty support for student protesters.

Elsewhere, university presidents defended their decisions to negotiate with pro-Palestinian protesters rather than use force to disband the encampments.

Harvard’s governing board ultimately decided to uphold the sanctions against the 13 students, citing violations of university policies.

Supporters of the students criticized the decision, claiming it went against a previous agreement to allow them to graduate.

The situation at Harvard reflects a larger trend of campus protests and responses to allegations of antisemitism.

Several other universities have also dealt with pro-Palestinian encampments and demonstrations.

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