NEW YORK CITY — A group of Columbia University graduates has ignited national controversy after staging a dramatic protest at commencement, where they tore up and set fire to their diplomas in opposition to Israel and the university’s ties to the country.
The demonstration took place during Columbia’s graduation ceremonies this week, drawing sharp criticism from across the political spectrum. Video footage shared widely on social media showed several students dressed in caps and gowns ripping up their diplomas and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans, while others burned the documents on campus grounds.
Critics swiftly condemned the protest, labeling the students as “spoiled brats” for using a moment of academic achievement to stage what some have described as a disrespectful and performative act.
“Imagine being handed one of the most elite degrees in the world and choosing that moment to throw a tantrum,” said one Columbia alumnus on X (formerly Twitter). “This isn’t protest — it’s self-indulgence.”
The protest was organized by student activists who accuse Columbia University of complicity in what they describe as Israeli human rights violations in Gaza. The university has faced mounting pressure in recent months to divest from companies that support Israel’s military efforts.
“Today, we reject the legitimacy of an institution that ignores genocide,” one student declared into a megaphone before discarding their diploma. “Our degrees mean nothing if they’re built on oppression.”
University officials have not issued a formal response to the commencement demonstration, though insiders say campus security was on high alert following weeks of pro-Palestinian protests, tent encampments, and clashes between students and administration.
The backlash against the protesting graduates has grown amid broader tensions nationwide, as anti-Israel demonstrations at universities have become flashpoints for debates around free speech, antisemitism, and the limits of campus activism.
Supporters of the students argue the demonstration was a courageous and symbolic stand against injustice, while detractors see it as disrespectful and misguided.
“It’s one thing to stand for human rights. It’s another to destroy your own hard-earned achievement in a misguided protest that alienates more people than it convinces,” said Michael Granoff, a donor and Columbia graduate.
The protest adds another chapter to what has been a tumultuous academic year at Columbia. Earlier this spring, the university temporarily suspended several student groups over their involvement in unauthorized protests, and administrators have struggled to balance student activism with campus order.
As Columbia’s class of 2025 heads into the world, the actions of a few are likely to cast a long shadow — reigniting debate over the role of activism in higher education and how students choose to wield their voices.
