University Graduations Disrupted by Pro-Palestinian Protests Amid Gaza Crisis: Northeastern, Ohio State, Michigan and More

Charlottesville, Va., Virginia United States of America
At least two major universities faced significant protests during commencement ceremonies
Police made numerous arrests at various campuses including University of Virginia, Kent State University, Art Institute of Chicago, and University of Southern California
Protesters criticized Israel's actions in Gaza and called for university divestment from the country
University administrators focused on minimizing disruptions and relying on existing security protocols to keep order
University graduations disrupted by pro-Palestinian protests at Northeastern University, Ohio State University, Michigan, and more
University Graduations Disrupted by Pro-Palestinian Protests Amid Gaza Crisis: Northeastern, Ohio State, Michigan and More

University Protests Disrupt Graduation Ceremonies Amid Israel's War in Gaza

Campuses across the United States have seen disruptions to graduation ceremonies due to pro-Palestinian protests, as tensions over the ongoing war in Gaza spill onto university grounds.

At least two major universities, Northeastern University and Ohio State University, have experienced significant protests during their commencement ceremonies. Protesters have used these events as opportunities to criticize Israel's actions in Gaza and call for university divestment from the country.

The University of Michigan also faced interruptions during its commencement ceremony on Saturday, with some graduates holding Palestinian flags and shouting pro-Palestinian messages. One banner read 'No universities left in Gaza.'

University administrators have been focusing on minimizing disruptions and relying on existing security protocols to keep order. Police have made numerous arrests at various campuses, including the University of Virginia, where at least 25 people were arrested during protests.

The University of Southern California saw protests for a second time as police removed a pro-Palestinian encampment from campus following security concerns. Hundreds gathered at Kent State University, site of a historic protest against the Vietnam War, with dozens arrested. Demonstrators were also removed from the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Virginia.

Despite efforts to maintain order, tensions remain high on many campuses as graduation season gets underway.



Confidence

95%

No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

95%

  • Unique Points
    • At least two major universities experienced disrupted commencement ceremonies due to pro-Palestinian protests.
    • Northeastern University and Ohio State University are among the schools hosting graduation ceremonies with thousands of students and families.
    • Protesters have used graduation ceremonies as opportunities to criticize Israel’s war in Gaza and call for university divestment.
    • Dozens of students disrupted a graduation ceremony at the University of Michigan, and dozens graduated in protest at Indiana University.
    • Administrators are focusing on minimizing disruptions and have been relying on existing security protocols to keep order.
    • Police removed a pro-Palestinian encampment from the University of Southern California for the second time following security concerns.
    • Hundreds gathered at Kent State University, site of a historic protest against the Vietnam War, with dozens arrested.
    • Dozens were arrested at the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Virginia after schools asked police to remove demonstrators from campus property.
  • Accuracy
    • Hundreds gathered at Kent State University with dozens arrested.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains a few informal fallacies and appeals to authority. It also uses inflammatory rhetoric.
    • . . . prompting police sweeps and more than 2,300 arrests, according to a New York Times tally
    • On Saturday, dozens of students draped in flags, kaffiyeh and graduation caps briefly disrupted a graduation ceremony at the University of Michigan
    • The university has been in turmoil for weeks following its decision not to allow its valedictorian, who is Muslim, to speak at graduation, citing security concerns.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

92%

  • Unique Points
    • College campuses are holding graduation ceremonies on the weekend of May 5, 2024.
    • Police are increasing security for the graduation ceremonies due to previous protests.
  • Accuracy
    • At least two major universities experienced disrupted commencement ceremonies due to pro-Palestinian protests.
    • Protesters have used graduation ceremonies as opportunities to criticize Israel’s war in Gaza and call for university divestment.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

96%

  • Unique Points
    • USC has closed its primary campus and is clearing out a pro-Palestinian protest encampment.
    • Students who don’t leave the campus could be arrested.
    • A USC professor’s criticism of the school’s response to protests served as a catalyst for demonstrations there.
    • The university cancelled its Muslim valedictorian’s commencement speech due to safety concerns.
  • Accuracy
    • Protests against Israel's war in Gaza are taking place at universities including USC, UVA, and Michigan.
    • Police officers have moved in on the protest site with riot gear.
    • Students who don't leave the campus could be arrested.
    • Students are calling on institutions to disinvest from companies and other entities that support or benefit from Israel’s war in Gaza.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains some inflammatory rhetoric and an appeal to authority, but no formal or dichotomous fallacies are present. The authors use the phrase 'Israel's war in Gaza' multiple times, which could be seen as inflammatory to some readers. Additionally, they quote a USC professor who criticizes the school's response to protests and implies that the university's decision to cancel a Muslim valedictorian's speech was a catalyst for demonstrations. This could be seen as an appeal to authority, as the professor is presented as an expert on the situation at USC. However, no fallacies are explicitly stated or implied in the professor's quotes.
    • ]The school warned Thursday that students arrested during on-campus protests could face disciplinary action from the university,
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

94%

  • Unique Points
    • University of Michigan held commencement early on Saturday with some interruptions from pro-Palestinian protests.
    • One banner read ‘No universities left in Gaza’.
    • Protesters have been demanding Michigan cut financial ties with companies connected to Israel.
  • Accuracy
    • Protesters at University of Michigan held Palestinian flags and shouted messages during the ceremony.
    • Dozens were arrested at the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Virginia after schools asked police to remove demonstrators from campus property.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    Dichotomous Depiction and Appeal to Authority
    • The school had said staff and security officers were ready to respond and that interfering with commencement would not be considered free speech.
    • Protesters have been demanding that Michigan cut financial ties with any companies connected to Israel. The university has allowed protesters to set up an encampment in the middle of campus.
  • Bias (95%)
    The article reports on protests at university commencement ceremonies related to the Israel-Hamas war. The author does not express any bias in their reporting of the events and instead provides factual information about the disruptions and school administrations' responses. However, there is a subtle bias in favor of free speech as evidenced by Del Toro's remarks about protesting peacefully. This bias does not significantly impact the overall article.
    • Protesters have been demanding that Michigan cut financial ties with any companies connected to Israel.
      • ]Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, if you can please draw your attention back to the podium.[/
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      94%

      • Unique Points
        • At least 25 people were arrested at the University of Virginia during protests over the war in Gaza.
      • Accuracy
        • Dozens of students disrupted a graduation ceremony at the University of Michigan, and dozens graduated in protest at Indiana University.
        • Police used chemical irritants on dozens of people at the University of Virginia.
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication