Anti-Israel protesters torch diplomas outside Columbia University on graduation day
Share this @internewscast.com

A group of keffiyeh-wearing anti-Israel protesters ripped up and burned diplomas outside Columbia University on Wednesday shortly after a graduation ceremony at the Ivy League institution, while unruly demonstrators also tangled with police. 

Chaos erupted outside the university when the protesters – many of whom had their faces covered with masks – torched diplomas in food trays next to a sign that read “Free Mahmoud Khalil,” the former student who was arrested by immigration agents in March and whom the Trump administration is trying to deport. 

“Free, free Palestine,” and “You’re committing genocide,” the protesters yelled in the rain to the sound of drums. 

Demonstrators burn diplomas as Columbia University

A group of keffiyeh-wearing anti-Israel protesters ripped up and burned diplomas outside Columbia University on Wednesday shortly after a graduation ceremony at the Ivy League institution. (Timothy A. CLARY / AFP)

At least three people could be seen ripping up diplomas, although only one of them was wearing a Columbia blue robe. The group was surrounded by older demonstrators who didn’t appear to be students and others holding signs indicating they were alumni of the university.

“While 14,000 Palestinian children are at imminent threat of death from the occupation’s starvation of Gaza, Columbia wants to honor a WAR CRIMINAL and MURDERER on our campus today,” the group wrote on X without substantiating their claims.

Wednesday’s ceremony involved about 12,000 graduates and an estimated 25,000 family and friends, according to the New York Post.

The disruption followed on from a graduation ceremony on Tuesday where students heckled Acting University President Claire Shipman and shouted, “Free Mahmoud!” 

The chants continued for nearly 30 seconds. Once the agitators calmed down, the acting president was able to get through her final points.

A person wearing graduate robes is detained by police at Columbia University

A person wearing graduate robes is detained by police across the street from the main gates of Columbia University on May 21, 2025, in New York.  (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

It was the latest in a long line of protests to rock the Manhattan college since the onset of the war in Gaza. Last year, the university’s encampment protests ignited a wave of campus protests throughout the country.

The chaos at Columbia culminated in students taking control of Hamilton Hall and violently clashing with police in riot gear. The ugly scenes saw more than 200 people arrested.

Two weeks ago, students protested inside a library at Columbia, which led to dozens more arrests as the university leadership said it would take a harder approach to illegal behavior on campus. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Elmhurst flooding today: Storm brings heavy rain to west suburb, floods buildings, homes and streets, prompting road closures

Severe Storms Hit Elmhurst: Heavy Rain Causes Flooding in Homes and Streets, Leading to Road Closures in West Suburb

ELMHURST, Ill. (WLS) — Storms brought gusty winds, lightning and heavy rain…
Photo of Clinton David Brink and Cristen Amanda Brink.

Tragic Final Hours of Parents Who Sacrificed Their Lives to Save Their Daughters Shortly After Relocating for a Fresh Start

The couple who lost their lives while shielding their young daughters during…
DCPS substitute teacher arrested, accused of having guns, ammunition on campus

VP of Jacksonville Teachers’ Union to Admit Guilt in $1M Fraud Scheme

Ruby George, aged 81 and the retired executive vice president of Duval…
Federal agents 'stormed the cockpit,' removed Delta co-pilot after flight landed at San Francisco International Airport

Federal Agents Enter Cockpit, Remove Delta Co-Pilot Following Flight’s Arrival at San Francisco Airport

SAN FRANCISCO — A routine Delta flight turned anything but ordinary after…
Watch: Trump Critics Can’t Even Spin Historic EU Trade Deal and It’s Hilarious

Watch: Trump’s Critics Struggle to Spin EU Trade Deal – It’s Quite Amusing

On Monday, the Trump 47 White House’s Official Rapid Response account posted…
Aeroflot Airbus A321-211 parked at an airport.

Massive Pro-Ukraine Cyberattack Cripples Putin’s Aeroflot Airline, Disrupting Flights and Plunging IT Systems into Chaos

RUSSIA’S main state airline Aeroflot was crippled by a “massive hack” today,…
Public hanging in Zahedan, Iran.

Concerns Grow that Iran May Execute 30,000 in a Repeat of the 1988 Massacre amid Intensified Crackdown

IRAN’S merciless regime is plotting to kill tens of thousands of prisoners…
White Pura smart home fragrance diffuser.

Urgent Recall: Hazardous Product Sold at Walmart & Target Poses Severe Risk to Children

A PRODUCT sold at Target and Walmart has been recalled after posing…
Suspect walking in a parking lot near Or Tor Kor Market in Bangkok, Thailand.

Tragic Mass Shooting at Bangkok Market Leaves At Least Six Dead

AT least six people have been killed after a gunman opened fire…
Police identify multiple suspects in brutal Cincinnati street fight: 'Cruel and absolutely unacceptable'

Cincinnati Street Brawl: Police Name Several Suspects, Call Incident ‘Vicious and Entirely Unacceptable’

Authorities have identified at least four suspects in a violent brawl that…
Cancer survivor reveals fitness trick as he swims 10K across Long Island Sound

Cancer survivor shares fitness secret after completing 10K swim across Long Island Sound

The Long Island Sound stretches a whopping 110 miles, from New York…
Sailboat sinks near Miami Beach after crash with barge, leaving 6 hospitalized

Six Hospitalized After Sailboat and Barge Collision Near Miami Beach

Six people were pulled from the water near Star Island in Miami…