MIT's Class of 2025 student president, Megha M. Vemuri, was barred from participating in graduation after her speech criticized the university's ties to Israel amid the Gaza conflict. During a pre-ceremony event, she accused MIT of complicity in genocide, sparking a divided audience response including walkouts and protests. Vemuri commended her peers for their activism in response to the crisis, emphasizing a commitment to support life and urging the university to sever ties with Israel. MIT confirmed her removal from the graduation event shortly after the speech.
The Israeli occupation forces are the only foreign military that MIT has research ties with, meaning Israel's assault on Palestinians is supported by our school.
We have a commitment to support life. We must support aid efforts, call for an arms embargo, and demand that MIT cuts ties with Israel.
The remarks split the crowd with audible boos clashing with cheers, leading to a mass walkout by some students amidst chants of 'shame'.
I commend my classmates for their activism since the October 7 attack, facing threats and suppression but ultimately prevailing against the intolerable.
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