Columbia University's graduation ceremony was marked by significant unrest as Acting President Claire Shipman faced a hostile audience reacting to the arrest of graduate student Mahmoud Khali by ICE agents. The crowd expressed their anger through loud boos and chants, particularly highlighting Khali's situation as a Palestinian activist. During her speech, Shipman acknowledged the frustration among attendees as she struggled to communicate over the chants. Khali's detention, linked to his past activism, has sparked a legal battle as his attorneys seek to prevent his deportation.
"I know that many of you feel some amount of frustration with me and I know you feel it with the administration," Shipman said, struggling to be heard over the jeers.
At one point, she paused her speech for a full 30 seconds as the crowd chanted 'free Mahmoud.'
Khalil is a Palestinian green card holder who led anti-Israel protests at Columbia and 'engaging in activities aligned with Hamas,' according to the feds.
He is being held in an ICE detention center in Louisiana, but his attorneys are fighting his impending deportation.
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