Graduating Columbia University students chanted " Free Mahmoud " in support of the detained pro-Palestinian student leader Mahmoud Khalil , at the convocation ceremony of the prestigious New York City school on Wednesday.
Boos rang out when journalist Claire Shipman, the interim president of Columbia University, stood up to speak.
"We firmly believe that our international students have the same rights to freedom of speech as everyone else. They should not be targeted by the government for exercising that right," news agency AFP quoted Shipman as saying.
"And let me also say that I know many in our community today are mourning the absence of our graduate, Mahmoud Khalil," she added.
However, this didn't pacify students, who continued to boo Shipman. "Shame on you," they chanted at her.
Ahead of the graduation ceremony, attendees were warned over loudspeakers that any "interruption" was prohibited and those who didn't follow the rules could be asked to leave.
That didn't prevent chants of "Free Mahmoud."
The case of Mahmoud Khalil
Khalil, one of the most visible leaders of nationwide campus protests against Israel's war in Gaza, has been detained since March for his campus activism. He is being held in a detention centre in Louisiana and faces possible deportation after amid accusations of supporting Palestinian militant group Hamas.
He has been marked for deportation despite his permanent US resident status.
Columbia has been the site of demonstrations calling for an end to violence in Gaza for the past 18 months, and more recently, has seen student protesters arrested by the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Also Read: Trump admin bars pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil from attending son's birth
The Trump White House has cut $400 million in federal aid to Columbia alone, taking aim at schools which don't fall into line with its demands while arresting students involved in pro-Palestinian causes.
Boos rang out when journalist Claire Shipman, the interim president of Columbia University, stood up to speak.
"We firmly believe that our international students have the same rights to freedom of speech as everyone else. They should not be targeted by the government for exercising that right," news agency AFP quoted Shipman as saying.
"And let me also say that I know many in our community today are mourning the absence of our graduate, Mahmoud Khalil," she added.
Columbia University Acting President Claire Shipman welcomed to Columbia College's graduation ceremony with sustained jeers and boos.
— Prem Thakker (@prem_thakker) May 20, 2025
Minutes later, students break out in loud chants of "Free Mahmoud": pic.twitter.com/QJit91wydm
However, this didn't pacify students, who continued to boo Shipman. "Shame on you," they chanted at her.
Ahead of the graduation ceremony, attendees were warned over loudspeakers that any "interruption" was prohibited and those who didn't follow the rules could be asked to leave.
That didn't prevent chants of "Free Mahmoud."
The case of Mahmoud Khalil
Khalil, one of the most visible leaders of nationwide campus protests against Israel's war in Gaza, has been detained since March for his campus activism. He is being held in a detention centre in Louisiana and faces possible deportation after amid accusations of supporting Palestinian militant group Hamas.
He has been marked for deportation despite his permanent US resident status.
Columbia has been the site of demonstrations calling for an end to violence in Gaza for the past 18 months, and more recently, has seen student protesters arrested by the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Also Read: Trump admin bars pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil from attending son's birth
The Trump White House has cut $400 million in federal aid to Columbia alone, taking aim at schools which don't fall into line with its demands while arresting students involved in pro-Palestinian causes.
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