WATCH: Anti-Israel Columbia Graduate Rips Diploma On Stage During Commencement

During one of Columbia University's first commencement ceremonies on Friday, graduates from the school of social work were seen wearing zip ties around their wrists, carrying pro-Palestine signs, and going as far as ripping up their diplomas a few weeks after police finally put an end to the anti-Israel demonstration that occupied the campus for many weeks.  

In a livestream of the commencement, one of the graduate students walking the stage, Tarsis Salome, was seen with zip ties around her wrists. As she approached to get her diploma from the school official, she was cheered on by some of her fellow graduates as she raised her hands in the air. Once she had her diploma in hand, she then ripped it to pieces and threw the remains on the stage.

Another graduate, Maliha Fairooz, appeared to have the name of a Hamas leader emblazoned on her cap as she walked across the stage with her hands cuffed, as reported by The New York Post. The disrespectful behavior comes after the university announced that it would be canceling its university-wide commencement ceremony due to the protests.

The school decided to forgo the large commencement event on May 15 and instead opt for smaller ceremonies throughout the week. The university explained that the smaller events broken down by school would be "more meaningful" for students. "Our students emphasized that these smaller-scale, school-based celebrations are most meaningful to them and their families," the university announced in a statement. "They are eager to cross the stage to applause and family pride and hear from their school's invited guest speakers. As a result, we will focus our resources on those school ceremonies and on keeping them safe, respectful, and running smoothly."

The Ivy League school has been the center of nationwide attention in recent weeks after students occupied the Morningside campus with a tent encampment, forcing the school to shut down for students and faculty. The demonstrators then proceeded to occupy Hamilton Hall, forcing the administration to call in the NYPD to clear out the agitators.

"These past few weeks have been incredibly difficult for our community. Just as we are focused on making our graduation experience truly special, we continue to solicit student feedback and are looking at the possibility of a festive event on May 15 to take the place of the large, formal ceremony. We are eager to all come together for our graduates and celebrate our fellow Columbians as they, and we, look ahead to the future," the university administration added.

According to a schedule posted by the school, commencement ceremonies will occur from May 10 to May 16 at various times throughout the day. Columbia joins the University of Southern California in canceling its main commencement ceremony following widespread demonstrations by anti-Israel protestors. 

WATCH:

A female queer-identifying Columbia University student ripped up they/their diploma upon receiving it. So that’s four years down the drain. pic.twitter.com/V6ElgYjWVu

— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) May 13, 2024

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