Pro-Palestine protests continued at several universities this weekend, with students trying to send a message during graduation ceremonies.
A student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill protested outside campus buildings, spraying red paint on the steps of one of them, the News and Observer reported.
“Today is the start of UNC graduation and students have established a camp in the famous bell tower where many graduates will want to take their graduation photos,” National Students for Justice in Palestine posted online.
At the end of the chancellor’s graduation speech, students walked down the central aisle carrying two Palestinian flags. They were met with boos and people shouting “USA!” The people were led away by police, the media outlet reported.
Students demonstrating at the University of North Carolina clashed last week when counter-protesters raised an American flag on campus while activists threw objects at them after trying to replace it with a Palestinian flag.
The scene resonated with people across the country, and a GoFundMe was created to throw “a Rager” at the fraternity men. It raised more than $500,000.
In Wisconsin, a handful of students silently protested the war. Approximately 20 students stood and turned away as University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin gave her speech, Wisconsin Public Radio reported.
Other students used messages that included “No universities in Gaza” and “Free Palestine.” A group of students carrying a Palestinian flag were escorted by police out of the arena.
In Virginia, about 100 Virginia Commonwealth University graduates walked out of the ceremony to protest a speech given by Governor Glenn Youngkin. They were protesting the ongoing war and Youngkin’s ideologies.
The graduation protests follow weeks of demonstrations at more than 400 universities across the country. From Ivy Leagues to small colleges, students are demanding that their schools divest from Israeli companies or companies that have ties to Israel.
More than 2,000 arrests have been made as universities struggle to balance free speech and campus disruptions.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
