Pro-Palestinian protesters who disrupted the University of Michigan‘s commencement were met with a frosty reception, being booed and jeered by the crowd.
The group of protesters, carrying Palestinian flags and protest signs, marched into the UM School of Music, Theatre & Dance in the middle of the ceremony, interrupting the proceedings. While some cheers could be heard, most of the audience reacted with hostility.
“Get out!” one man could be heard yelling, while others booed, and many broke out into a “USA” chant.
Among the protest signs were “UM funds genocide,” “Free Free Palestine,” and “ACAB,” an anti-police slogan.
UM announced previously that it was prepared for such disruptions, and broadcast several warnings over a large screen onstage.
“We respectfully ask for silence. The University of Michigan recognizes the right of dissent, but we also recognize the right of speakers to be heard,” one of the warnings read.
“The disruption has continued despite two warnings. In an effort to continue the event, disruptors will now be escorted out,” the third warning read, as police entered the hall.
The disruptions lasted about three minutes and ended with police escorting the protesters out.
“University of Michigan celebrated the achievements of 8,500 undergraduates and 6,622 graduate and PhD students before a crowd of 62,000 wellwishers at the commencement ceremony at Michigan Stadium Saturday,” the university told the Washington Examiner in a statement. “The mood was joyous and the ceremony unfolded successfully and was completed without interruption. Approximately 75 protesters staged a small demonstration at the beginning of the program, walking up the main aisle and chanting, before public safety personnel escorted them to the rear of the stadium, where they remained through the conclusion of the event. There were no arrests.”
It added that at a later demonstration outside of the ceremony, one protester not affiliated with the university was arrested.
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Much of the country has gone sour on-campus pro-Palestinian protesters as their demonstrations grow more disruptive. This week, encampments at Columbia University and UCLA were raided by riot police.
The Washington Examiner has reached out to the University of Michigan for comment.
