Defiant Columbia University graduates wore zip ties and handcuffs, brandished pro-Palestinian signs and even tore up their diplomas on the stage at the Ivy League’s first commencement ceremony last week.
On Friday, protesting students were caught on camera storming the Commencement Ceremony dais in a much-streamlined ceremony after weeks of violent anti-Israel demonstrations on campus.
In one of the most belligerent displays, Columbia social work graduate Tarsis Salome charged forward with her hands held above her head, zip ties held high as the audience cheered her on.
She then abruptly tore her diploma to shreds in the audience, as shown on the livestream of the ceremony.
Another social work graduate, Maliha Fairouz, appeared to have Hamas leader Mazen Jamal al-Nasheh’s name scrawled on her hat as she accepted her degree with her hands tied together with zip ties.
Meanwhile, Veda Kamra and Hilary Margaret Elizabeth Ludlow, who wore keffiyehs and showed off “Liberate Palestine” signs and handcuffed hands, received especially loud applause.
Others were likewise paraded before the audience, apparently as prisoners.
The defiance comes after Columbia University last week canceled university-wide graduation ceremonies in favor of school-based ceremonies after a tent camp set up at Columbia University descended into chaos and raised security concerns. An exhibition was held.
NYPD officers raided campus twice last month to remove disruptive demonstrators, then illegally occupied Hamilton Hall, the university’s iconic building, as protests escalated dramatically The group that supported terrorism was eliminated.
In both ordeals, more than 200 protesters were led away in handcuffs.
University officials said the decision to cancel the traditional ceremony, which usually draws more than 50,000 people, was made after consulting with graduates.
“Holding a large graduation ceremony on campus poses safety concerns that unfortunately proved insurmountable,” school spokesman Ben Chan said last week.
“Like the students, we are deeply disappointed by this result.”
As a result, the school’s smaller ceremonies will not be held on the iconic South Lawn, where such events are normally held.
Most of the ceremony will take place at a sports complex in Columbia, about eight miles away.
