Amidst a graduation ceremony at the University of Michigan on Saturday, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters briefly disrupted the event, causing a stir as educational institutions nationwide prepared for potential demonstrations.
One of the banners carried by the protesters boldly stated: "No universities left in Gaza," while some individuals were seen proudly waving Israeli flags.
Despite their efforts, campus police managed to prevent the protesters from advancing towards the stage.
Meanwhile, in the sky above, a plane soared over the ceremony displaying a banner that demanded: "Divest from Israel now! Free Palestine." Another aircraft countered with a contrasting message: "We stand with Israel. Jewish lives matter."
U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro had to pause several times during his speech, urging the audience, "Ladies and gentlemen, if you can please draw your attention back to the podium."
Ahead of its commencement ceremony, the University of Michigan implemented heightened security measures, which included screening and removal of banners and flags. Tickets would be required for a majority of events.
Laurie McCauley, Michigan's chief academic officer, emphasized to students and staff that while the school respects free expression, "no one is entitled to disrupt university activities."
Although the university permitted protesters to establish an encampment on campus, police intervened to disperse a large gathering on Friday night, resulting in one arrest.
CBS News contacted the university for a statement.
The recent Israel-Hamas conflict has ignited widespread – sometimes violent – demonstrations at colleges and universities across the nation in recent weeks.
To prevent disruptions during final exams and graduation ceremonies, a few universities reached agreements with protestors. These arrangements, seen at institutions like Brown, Northwestern, and Rutgers, are notable amidst the tumultuous scenes and over 2,400 arrests on 46 campuses nationwide since April 17. Tent encampments and building takeovers have disrupted classes at various schools, such as Columbia and UCLA.
The agreements often involved universities agreeing to reassess their investments in Israel or consider ceasing business ties with the long-standing U.S. ally. Many of the protesters' demands have focused on connections to the Israeli military as the conflict continues in Gaza.
The agreements to even discuss divestment mark a major shift on an issue that has been controversial for years, with opponents of a long-running campaign to boycott Israel saying it veers into antisemitism. But while the colleges have made concessions around amnesty for protesters and funding for Middle Eastern studies, they have made no promises about changing their investments.
"I think for some universities, it might be just a delaying tactic to diffuse the protests," said Ralph Young, a history professor who studies American dissent at Temple University in Philadelphia. "The end of the semester is happening now. And maybe by the time the next semester begins, there is a cease-fire in Gaza."
Meanwhile, arrests of demonstrators continued elsewhere.
About a dozen protesters who refused police orders to leave an encampment at New York University were arrested early Friday, and about 30 more left voluntarily, NYU spokesperson John Beckman said. The school asked city police to intervene, he added.
NYPD officers also cleared an encampment at The New School in Greenwich Village on the request of school administrators. No arrests were announced.
Another 132 protesters were arrested when police broke up an encampment at the State University of New York at New Paltz starting late Thursday, authorities said.
And nine were arrested at the University of Tennessee, including seven students who Chancellor Donde Plowman said would also be sanctioned under the school's code of conduct.
The movement began on April 17 at Columbia, where student protesters built an encampment to call for an end to the Israel-Hamas war.
According to the Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip, the conflict has led to the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians. The offensive by Israel was initiated in response to an attack by Hamas militants on October 7, in which approximately 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, were killed. Additionally, about 250 hostages were taken during the attack on southern Israel.
