Anti-war protests on US campuses... Columbia cancels graduation, Harvard issues final ultimatum

Tensions continue on U.S. college campuses as anti-Gaza War tent protests persist. Columbia University, where the anti-war protests began to spread, has ultimately decided to cancel its largest annual event, the full commencement ceremony. Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have issued final warnings to protesters, stating that failure to remove tents will result in disciplinary actions such as suspension.

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On the 6th (local time), Columbia University announced in a statement that "holding a large-scale commencement ceremony on campus raises safety concerns," and therefore the full commencement ceremony scheduled for the 15th has been canceled. Instead, Columbia will hold small-scale graduation events by individual schools from the 10th to the 16th. These school-specific ceremonies will also be held off-campus at the Baker Athletics Complex.

This decision comes amid the recent spread of anti-war tent protests across U.S. college campuses. In particular, Columbia University is regarded as the flashpoint of the anti-war tent protests after the New York Police Department (NYPD) forcefully cracked down on protesters last month. According to the Associated Press, since mid-last month, approximately 2,500 students from about 50 universities have been arrested during anti-war protests on campuses. The University of Southern California (USC), where around 90 protesters were arrested, has also canceled its official commencement ceremony.

On the same day, Harvard University and MIT also warned protesters of disciplinary measures. This appears to be a final ultimatum to end protests ahead of their largest annual event, the commencement ceremony.

MIT President Sally Kornbluth notified protesters that if they do not vacate the tent encampment on campus by 2:30 p.m., immediate suspension will be enforced. Suspended students will be prohibited from attending classes, taking exams, and participating in the commencement ceremony. However, local media reported that some protesting students have refused to comply and remain on site. Harvard’s interim president, Alan Garber, also announced in a statement that students participating in the tent protests will face disciplinary actions, including suspension.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.