Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted a commencement ceremony at the University of Michigan (UM) on Friday. The protesters, carrying the Palestinian flag and signs with messages like “ACAB,” “Free, free Palestine,” and “UM Funds Genocide,” entered the ceremony for the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. As they walked through the room, attendees booed and told them to leave.
The protest lasted a few minutes before police arrived and the protesters departed. Some people in the crowd started chanting “USA! USA! USA!” as the protesters remained in the room. As the protesters left, they chanted “Free, free Gaza.”
Law enforcement officials were also recorded trying to control a crowd of protesters at the University of Michigan Museum of Art.
Anti-Israel protests and encampments have become more common on college campuses in support of an initial encampment established at Columbia University. Protesters have issued various demands, including divesting from Israeli companies, cutting ties with Israeli educational institutions, and calling for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Truth Voices contacted the University of Michigan for a statement but did not receive a response.
