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Columbia University’s graduation ceremony on Wednesday was marked by the conspicuous absence of Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent pro-Palestinian student protest leader who US authorities have detained for over two months.
As interim president Clare Shipman took the stage, students loudly chanted “Boo… Shame on you!” and “Free Mahmoud,” highlighting the tensions surrounding campus activism and government crackdowns.
For the past 18 months, Columbia has been a focal point for protests demanding an end to the violence in Gaza, with many students arrested under the Trump administration’s strict policies targeting pro-Palestinian activists.
Despite being a permanent US resident, Khalil faces deportation following his arrest earlier this year linked to his activism and alleged ties to Hamas.
Before the ceremony, attendees were warned that disruptions would not be tolerated, but the chants supporting Khalil persisted.
Several students wore keffiyehs as scarves or makeshift graduation caps, symbolising solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Interim President Shipman acknowledged Khalil’s absence, expressing sorrow and urging graduates to champion democracy, which she called “the essential work of your generation.”
Graduates voiced mixed feelings about the university’s response to the protests. Olivia Blythe, a social work master’s graduate, described feeling “embarrassed” by Columbia’s handling of free speech issues, especially amid reports of hostility towards pro-Palestinian students during recent events.
Sociology graduate Alfred Young appreciated Columbia’s social justice ethos but found the administration’s approach “tone deaf.”
The university has faced sharp criticism after the Trump administration cut $400 million in federal aid to Columbia, targeting institutions perceived as unsupportive of its policies.
Recent arrests of over 80 pro-Palestinian students and government threats to revoke visas have intensified the climate of fear and repression on campus.
Khalil, currently detained in Louisiana, has been separated from his newborn son, a move condemned by his wife, Noor Abdalla, as “deliberate violence” and “calculated cruelty.”
Outside the campus, while hundreds of police maintained order, a small group of demonstrators stood firm, holding signs such as “There is no graduation in Gaza today,” underscoring the ongoing strife that shadows the ceremony.
