University of Michigan graduation ceremony disrupted by small anti-war protest

Graduation ceremonies at the University of Michigan took a political turn on Saturday as protesters clashed with the annual celebration. The commencement, held at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, was interrupted by about 50 protesters chanting anti-war messages and waving Palestinian flags in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Despite the disruption, no arrests were made, and the event continued with tens of thousands of attendees. One protest banner read, “No universities left in Gaza,” highlighting the impact of the ongoing conflict on education in the region.

U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro addressed the protests during his remarks, emphasizing the importance of peaceful protest and the protection of freedoms. The university has allowed protesters to set up an encampment on campus, but police intervened in a large gathering the night before the commencement, resulting in one arrest.

The protest at the University of Michigan is part of a larger student movement across campuses nationwide, calling for universities to stop doing business with Israel or companies supporting the war in Gaza. Similar protests and encampments have led to arrests and crackdowns on campuses, with over 2,400 people arrested at 47 college and university campuses since April 18.

In other developments, protesters at Tufts University near Boston took down their encampment, while students at Princeton launched a hunger strike to push the university to divest from companies tied to Israel. The protests reflect the deep divisions and tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has resulted in significant casualties and displacement in Gaza.