Current:Home > FinanceBrown University president’s commencement speech briefly interrupted by protesters-InfoLens
Brown University president’s commencement speech briefly interrupted by protesters
View Date:2024-12-23 18:51:17
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Protesters briefly disrupted an outdoor commencement address given by Brown University’s president on Sunday.
Shortly after Christina Paxson began, her speech was interrupted for several minutes by shouting as she told the graduates, “I would really like to give you your degrees.” She eventually resumed with some people continuing to shout.
A group called Brown Alumni for Palestine said in a news release Sunday that it led the disruption at the ceremony, where Paxson and the Brown Corporation were conferring diplomas to the graduating class.
Brown Alumni for Palestine said the group represents over 2,000 alumni who have pledged to withhold donations to the university until the corporation divests from companies contributing to or profiting from the conflict in Gaza.
Another group, the Rhode Island Coalition for Israel, said it also organized a protest outside the ceremony. It said it had a plane fly a banner supporting Israel and the U.S.-Israel alliance.
Anti-war demonstrations ceased earlier this month at a small number of universities, including Brown, after school leaders struck deals with pro-Palestinian protesters, fending off possible disruptions of final exams and graduation ceremonies.
The agreements at schools including Brown, Northwestern and Rutgers stand out amid the chaotic scenes and campus arrests nationwide since April 17. Tent encampments and building takeovers have disrupted classes at some schools, including Columbia in New York City and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Deals included commitments by universities to review their investments in Israel or hear calls to stop doing business with the longtime U.S. ally. Many protester demands have zeroed in on links to the Israeli military as the war grinds on in Gaza.
Pro-Palestinian protesters agreed to dismantle an encampment at Brown. School officials said students could present arguments for divesting Brown’s endowment from companies linked to the war in Gaza.
In addition, Paxson said she will ask an advisory committee to make a recommendation on divestment by Sept. 30, which will be put before the school’s governing corporation for a vote in October.
veryGood! (47949)
Related
- Engines on 1.4 million Honda vehicles might fail, so US regulators open an investigation
- Rory McIlroy calls off divorce from Erica Stoll: 'We have resolved our differences'
- Rare white bison calf reportedly born in Yellowstone National Park: A blessing and warning
- Oklahoma Supreme Court dismisses lawsuit of last Tulsa Race Massacre survivors seeking reparations
- 2025 Medicare Part B premium increase outpaces both Social Security COLA and inflation
- Blue Cross of North Carolina Decided Against an Employee Screening of a Documentary That Links the State’s Massive Hog Farms to Public Health Ills
- Fed holds interest rates steady, lowers forecast to just one cut in 2024 amid high inflation
- Oklahoma Supreme Court dismisses lawsuit of last Tulsa Race Massacre survivors seeking reparations
- Powerball winning numbers for November 11 drawing: Jackpot hits $103 million
- Blue Cross of North Carolina Decided Against an Employee Screening of a Documentary That Links the State’s Massive Hog Farms to Public Health Ills
Ranking
- Jennifer Lopez Gets Loud in Her First Onstage Appearance Amid Ben Affleck Divorce
- House to hold Merrick Garland contempt vote Wednesday
- Simon Cowell says 'only regret' about One Direction is not owning their name
- South Baltimore Communities Press City, State Regulators for Stricter Pollution Controls on Coal Export Operations
- Michigan soldier’s daughter finally took a long look at his 250 WWII letters
- YouTuber Jake Paul launches men's personal care line at Walmart
- Man shot and killed by Vermont State Police trooper outside home in Orange
- Miranda Derrick says Netflix 'Dancing for the Devil' cult docuseries put her 'in danger'
Recommendation
-
Utah AD Mark Harlan rips officials following loss to BYU, claims game was 'stolen from us'
-
Immigration activists sue Biden administration over border policy
-
Rob Schneider criticizes Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock at 2022 Academy Awards
-
Neil Goldschmidt, former Oregon governor who confessed to sex with a minor in the 1970s, has died
-
Jimmy Kimmel, more late-night hosts 'shocked' by Trump Cabinet picks: 'Goblins and weirdos'
-
New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor testifies for government in Sen. Bob Menendez prosecution
-
Linda Perry had double mastectomy amid secret, 'stressful' breast cancer battle
-
4 children in critical condition after shooting breaks out on Memphis interstate