Hundreds of Stanford University students walked out of their graduation ceremony Sunday in a show of support for the Palestinians, capping a tumultuous year on the campus rocked by protests related to the war between Israel and Hamas.
Videos circulating on social media show a group of students, many waving kaffiyehs and Palestinian flags, rising from their chairs as Stanford President Richard Saller delivers his address to the graduating class. Within minutes, hundreds of people can be seen leaving the stadium.
The walkout was planned by a pro-Palestinian student group, who had encouraged students to abandon the formal ceremony and instead go to a “People's Graduation Performance” at a different location.
“We invite graduates, friends and family to leave the graduation ceremony… to show support for divestment and honor Palestine this graduation weekend,” the group wrote on Instagram.
Standing at a makeshift podium, a speaker at the alternative ceremony called the strike a “final act of protest.”
“You have made history with an unprecedented sit-in and a beautiful camp,” the speaker told the relocated crowd. “Today you graduate with your head held high.”
The university did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Stanford has been rocked this year by protests led by students angry over the mounting casualties of innocent Palestinians. This month, university police arrested 13 pro-Palestine protesters, formed by students and alumni, who had barricaded themselves inside the president's office. University he said at that time that the students involved were suspended and that seniors were told they could not graduate.
Last year, protesters staged a large camp on campus, which became the longest sit-in in Stanford history. Administrators banned camping in February “out of concern for the health and safety of our students.” Activists set up another camp in the same square in April.
Times staff writer Jaweed Kaleem contributed to this report.
