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Pro-Palestinian protesters hold rally outside campus during Commencement

Several Columbia and Barnard alumni tore up and burned their diplomas during the demonstration.

By Elliot Heath / Columbia Daily Spectator

Protesters held signs reading “Class of 2025” with photos of Palestinians who had been killed in Gaza by the Israeli military.

By Daksha Pillai and Elliot Heath • May 24, 2025 at 12:35 AM

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Photo by Elliot Heath / Video Editor

SRG officers returned about an hour later but did not engage with demonstrators.

Photo by Elliot Heath / Video Editor

The University held its central Commencement ceremony Wednesday morning with thousands of graduates and their families entering the Morningside campus.

Photo by Elliot Heath / Video Editor

The alumni ripped their diplomas, tossed them on the ground, and set fire to them.