After this weekend, you could consider my Oklahoma State University 2003 graduation dull.
Graduates walked across the stage with their hands in zip ties, waving Palestinian flags, wearing the kaffiyeh scarf, and some even tore up diplomas.
It was a protest against Israel and the school calling in the police to end the pro-Hamas encampment and occupation of Hamilton Hall. The police arrested over 200 people. The majority of them don’t have any affiliation with Columbia.
My goodness. My Italian mother would have stormed the floor and kicked my butt if I did anything like those people, especially tearing up the diploma.
I know I would if my children did anything like this.
What a bunch of entitled, privileged…people:
In one of the most belligerent displays, Tarsis Salome — a Columbia social work graduate — charged forward with her zip-tied hands above her head as those in the audience cheered her on.Another social work grad, Maliha Fairooz, appeared to have the name of a Hamas leader — Mazen Jamal Al-Natsheh — scrawled across her cap as she accepted her degree with her zip-tied hands.Meanwhile, a Keffiyeh-clad Veda Kamra and Hilary Margaret Elizabeth Ludlow received particularly raucous applauses while showing off a “Free Palestine” sign and handcuffed hands.Others, too, followed suit as they paraded in the front of the audience as apparent prisoners.
One student wore a keffiyeh scarf around her neck and put “Acknowledge the class of 2024 of Gaza and those who will never graduate” on her cap.
PhD students walked out, leaving most of the seats empty.
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