After 13 students involved in a pro-Palestine protest were told that their degrees would be withheld, hundreds of Harvard graduates walked out in solidarity during the commencement ceremony on Thursday.
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While the students left the ceremony, others chanted, “Let them walk, let them walk,” calling for the university to allow the 13 others to graduate with their classmates. Student speaker Shruthi Kumar addressed the crowd and acknowledged the 13 undergraduate students who were barred from graduating, along with expressing disappointment in the university, calling the situation an intolerance for freedom of speech and civil disobedience on campus.
Additionally, over 1500 students had signed a petition, and nearly 500 staff and faculty members expressed concerns about the sanctions. “This is about civil rights and upholding democratic principles. The students had spoken,” Kumar continued. The faculty had spoken. Harvard, do you hear us?”
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Along with thousands of students across the United States, protestors had advocated for a ceasefire and for Harvard to separate itself from companies supporting the war. Commencement speaker Maria Ressa emphasized the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs and stated that protests are a healthy part of democracy, WCVB reported.
Harvard’s top governing board denied the 13 students their degrees, claiming violations of university policies during the encampment protest. However, they have opened the possibility of an appeals process and support an expedited review of the students’ appeals.
