Columbia alumni tear diplomas in protest against administration

In the United States, during Columbia University’s annual Alumni Day celebration, multiple graduates from the School of International and Public Affairs participated in a protest in response to the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and graduate student. Khalil's detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was framed by the Trump administration as necessary due to his alleged involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus, claiming he posed a threat to foreign policy. The protestors voiced their anger at the university's compliance with the government’s directives, including the crackdown on student protests and funding cuts that followed the administration's accusations of pro-Palestinian violence on campus. Alumni expressed deep discontent with the school’s leadership, stating that they felt their degrees could no longer symbolize the values they once stood for, and many emotionally tore up their diplomas as a public denunciation of the administration's actions. This form of protest was representative of a growing sentiment among students and alumni who believe that their institution has lost its direction in advocating for human rights and social justice. Furthermore, some of the protestors emphasized their support for Khalil, highlighting the impact of his detention on the university community and the broader implications for immigrant rights amidst heightened national scrutiny in the Trump era.