Students heckle Columbia acting president at graduation, shout 'Free Mahmoud'
Share this @internewscast.com

During Columbia University’s graduation ceremony in New York City on Tuesday morning, students interrupted by shouting, “Free Mahmoud!” as Acting University President Claire Shipman was speaking.

Shipman was immediately met with boos when she stepped up to the podium to speak during the Columbia College Class Day ceremony.

As Shipman attempted to address the gathering, she was met with continued heckling from the crowd. She intended to highlight the challenges and changes the class had endured, noting their resilience.

Despite interruptions, Shipman remarked, “You’ve shown remarkable adaptability and resilience during rapidly changing times, demonstrating deep care for the world and its people,” persisting through repeated disruptions to her speech.

Anti-Semitic protesters occupy a building on the campus of Columbia University

A mob of protesters showed up at the library as students were studying for finals, reportedly to rally support for Khalil. They also continued to demand the university divest from Israel. (Sam Nahins)

Columbia’s acting president said at the time that she went to the library “as the events were unfolding” and was disappointed with what she saw, including one Columbia public safety officer being wheeled out on a gurney and another being treated for injuries.

Shipman also said the reading room at the library was “defaced and damaged in disturbing ways and with disturbing slogans.”

“Violence and vandalism, hijacking a library—none of that has any place on our campus. These aren’t Columbia’s values,” she said.

Shipman, who took over in March following the resignation of the former president and the stepping down of the subsequent interim president, said this behavior will not be tolerated at Columbia.

Tuesday’s heckling also comes a day after Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi was allowed to walk across a graduation stage and receive his degree from the Ivy League school.

The 34-year-old activist, draped in a keffiyeh, smiled as he took the stage.

Court documents show Mahdawi was investigated twice in 2015 and 2016 for disturbing and antisemitic comments. In the documents, police allege that Mahdawi told a man, “I like to kill Jews.” In another incident, police allege he said he “used to build modified 9mm submachine guns to kill Jews while he was in Palestine.”

Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
At 102, D-Day veteran looks forward to a long-delayed bar mitzvah

102-Year-Old D-Day Veteran Anticipates a Much-Delayed Bar Mitzvah Ceremony

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Harold Terens is a World War II…
'Happy Face Killer' wants Bryan Kohberger as a potential cellmate to solve 'security issues'

“Serial Killer Suggests Bryan Kohberger as Cellmate to Address ‘Security Concerns'”

Keith Jesperson, infamously known as the Happy Face serial killer, has expressed…
Heat advisories and warnings issued for Southeast and Midwest as temperatures and humidity soars

Alerts for High Temperatures and Humidity in the Southeast and Midwest

It’s consistently hot during the summer in the U.S. Southeast, but even…
Disney dominates Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con with 'Percy Jackson,' 'Predator: Badlands' and 'TRON: Ares' panels

Disney Takes Over Comic-Con with Panels for ‘Percy Jackson,’ ‘Predator: Badlands,’ and ‘TRON: Ares’

SAN DIEGO — San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) is in full swing, and…
Wrecked bus on a hillside.

Double-Decker Bus Falls 164 Feet into Ravine, Leaving at Least 18 Dead and 48 Injured

AT LEAST 18 people have died after a double-decker bus plunged 164ft…
Jimmy Hoffa’s son: Who killed my dad, why, and what it did to my family

Jimmy Hoffa’s Son: Searching for Answers – My Father’s Murder and Its Impact on Our Family

Jimmy Hoffa was killed on July 30, 1975, in a plot involving…
Disputed fire by ancient church in Holy Land sparks diplomatic, religious fallout

Controversy Over Fire at Historic Holy Land Church Leads to Diplomatic and Religious Tensions

Israeli police have rejected claims that Jewish settlers set fire to the…
DeSantis: Deportation flights have started taking off from 'Alligator Alcatraz'

DeSantis Announces Launch of Deportation Flights from ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Deportation flights have begun from Florida’s new “Alligator Alcatraz” facility, which Gov.…
Photo of four friends in front of a Christmas tree.

Four Friends Tragically Die in Crash After Concert; Aunt Shares Heartbreaking Last Phone Call

FOUR friends have been killed in a horror car crash on their…
Screenshot of Jeffrey Dahmer being interviewed on television.

I’ve Looked Into the Eyes of Serial Killers and Seen Evil—Here’s Why Cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer Was the Most Terrifying of Them All

When journalist Nancy Glass locked eyes with serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, she…
Trump slams Europe over immigration, says ‘horrible invasion’ is killing the continent

Trump Criticizes Europe on Immigration, Calls it a ‘Devastating Invasion’ Harmful to the Continent

Upon arriving in Scotland on Friday, President Donald Trump quickly criticized European…
Woman describing terrifying Southwest Airlines flight experience.

Southwest Flight Passengers Panic After 30-Foot Drop to Evade Second Plane Due to Pilot Losing Contact with Air Traffic Control

A PASSENGER on board the Southwest flight that plummeted mid-air to avoid…