22 | MAY 16 • 2024 
J
N

O

verall, University of 
Michigan graduates and 
family members of the class 
of 2024 were joyful that their com-
mencement ceremonies actually hap-
pened. After all, graduation ceremo-
nies were canceled at Columbia and 
USC because of anti-Israel protests. 
 This was the class who had their 
senior year of high school abruptly 
halted, their prom and graduation 
ceremonies a casualty to the COVID 
pandemic. 
Still, after the disruption on 
March 25 of pro-Palestinian pro-
testers which brought the honors 
Convocation Ceremony at the Hill 

U-M Graduation 
Disrupted

Pro-Palestinian protesters drown out 
speakers for many attendees.

STACY GITTLEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

OUR COMMUNITY

Zach Goldstein 
of Florida holds 
up an Israeli flag.

Salma Hamamy carries a Palestinian 
flag during a pro-Palestinian protest 
during the University of Michigan’s 
commencement ceremony on May 4. 

Benny Shevsky 
was sitting near 
the pro-Palestinian 
protesters.

NIC ANTAYA/GETTY IMAGES/JTA