AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – In response to many pro-Palestinian protests across university and college campuses, some schools are canceling their larger commencement ceremonies.
As of Wednesday, police have arrested more than 2,000 people at college campuses across the U.S. during protests against the war in Gaza. Columbia University canceled its university-wide commencement ceremony following weeks of demonstrations after police dismantled a protest encampment last week.
Arrests were made at UMass Amherst as police were called in to clear a second pro-Palestine encampment on campus on Tuesday night. According to a spokesperson at UMass Amherst, around 130 people were arrested after refusing to take down the encampment and allegedly not complying with police to disperse.
22News contacted Edward Blaguszewski the Executive Director of Strategic Communications at Umass Amherst to see if they are planning to adjust their commencement plans and he said, “Commencement plans remain in place.”
UMass Amherst plans to have its large commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18th at 10:00 a.m. with bestselling author and two-time Pulitzer prize-winner Colson Whitehead as keynote speaker.
Melissa Torres is a reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since 2021. Follow Melissa on X @melissatorrestv and view her bio to see more of her work.
Melissa Torres
Source link