Gaza war: 300 Stanford graduates walk out of commencement to join pro-Palestine rally
File photo.
Hundreds of students who were graduating from Stanford University on Sunday (June 16) walked out of the commencement ceremony to join a pro-Palestine rally, as the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip rages on.
A report by the San Francisco Chronicle said that around29,000 tickets were requested for Stanford’s 133rd commencement, which awarded 1,838 bachelor's, 2,575 master’s, and 1,003 doctoral degrees.
WhilePresident Richard Saller spoke of the school’s challenging year during his address, about 300 students walkedout, followed by deputies from the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Office, the report said. Many students cheered the walkout.
'Honour Palestine this graduation weekend'
Earlier,a notice posted byStanford Against Apartheid in Palestine on Instagram urged studentsto walk out midway through the commencement ceremony.
“We invite graduates, friends, and family to walk out of the commencement into our alternative ceremony next to the stadium, to show support for divestment and honour Palestine this graduation weekend,” the notice said.
Palestinian flags handed out to graduates
Before the commencement ceremony, ahalf-dozen students handed out small Palestinian flags to graduates as they walked by. The report said that some undergraduate studentsdraped Palestinian flags over their backs.
Like many other universities and colleges in the United States (US), Stanford has beenthe site of pro-Palestinian demonstrations and encampments protesting Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip.
The report said that the protests generated debates over free speech,with many students saying the heated atmosphere leaves them fearing for their safety.
(With inputs from agencies)