As graduation season kicks off across the country, tensions are running high on college campuses with protests and demonstrations taking center stage. At Duke University, about 40 students made a statement by walking out of the commencement ceremony in protest as Jerry Seinfeld, known for his support of Jews in the United States and Israel, received an honorary degree.

While the ceremony continued without interruption, the atmosphere outside the stadium was charged with chants and signs advocating for disclosure and divestment. This incident at Duke is just one example of the ongoing tensions surrounding pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses.

College administrators are bracing for potential disruptions as protests escalate. Pomona College, for instance, had to relocate its commencement ceremony due to a planned protest by pro-Palestinian students who had set up an encampment on the original stage. Similarly, at the University of California, Berkeley, hundreds of students disrupted ceremonies with their own protests.

Meanwhile, at Johns Hopkins University, student protesters have agreed to end their encampment, signaling a shift in the ongoing demonstrations. Questions are also being raised about the police response to a recent violent attack at the University of California, Los Angeles, shedding light on the complexities of handling such situations.

Amidst the frustrations over coverage of Gaza, student protesters are turning to alternative sources like Al Jazeera to voice their concerns. The protests at Berkeley, where students displayed Palestinian flags and signs, have particularly stood out amidst the more subdued ceremonies taking place.

As the commencement season unfolds, the clash between graduation celebrations and student activism continues to shape the landscape of college campuses nationwide.