At a recent Columbia University commencement ceremony, a student named Tarsis Salome protested the school’s response to pro-Hamas encampments by tearing up her diploma on stage. Salome, a social work graduate, crossed the stage with her hands bound by zip-ties above her head and dramatically ripped her diploma into pieces in front of the gathered audience.
Columbia University grads were seen wearing zip ties and ripping diplomas on stage during the commencement ceremony. https://t.co/2OgktIYCFr pic.twitter.com/ovw1svUwbN
— New York Post (@nypost) May 13, 2024
Salome was not alone in her protest; other graduates also wore zip-tie handcuffs and displayed “Free Palestine” signs during the ceremony. One social work graduate, Maliha Fairooz, had the name of a Hamas leader written across her graduation cap as she accepted her degree with her hands zip-tied. Veda Kamra and Hilary Margaret Elizabeth Ludlow received applause for holding up a “Free Palestine” sign and displaying handcuffed hands, while others walked across the stage appearing as prisoners.
The ceremony had already been marked by controversy, having been officially cancelled earlier due to “security concerns” related to the pro-Hamas encampments. The university issued a statement expressing its desire to create a special and festive event to celebrate the graduates and the Columbia community despite the difficult circumstances.
These events at Columbia University highlight the ongoing debate about how the institution is handling the pro-Hamas encampments and the larger Israeli-Palestinian conflict. From a conservative perspective, these protests are seen as disruptive and inappropriate for a graduation ceremony, a time meant for celebration and recognition of academic achievements. This viewpoint stresses the importance of maintaining decorum and respect during such significant academic events.