Columbia cancels main graduation amid Gaza protests

Columbia University has cancelled its main graduation aft weeks of protests connected field implicit the Israel-Gaza war.

The Ivy League schoolhouse said it is ditching the 15 May commencement successful favour of smaller celebrations to absorption connected "keeping them safe".

The New York City assemblage said it arrived astatine the determination aft consultations with pupil leaders.

Colleges crossed the US are bracing for disruptions astatine upcoming graduations amid pro-Palestinian protests.

Columbia said successful a connection connected Monday: "Our students emphasized that these smaller-scale, school-based celebrations are astir meaningful to them and their families.

"They are anxious to transverse the signifier to applause and household pridefulness and perceive from their school's invited impermanent speakers.

"As a result, we volition absorption our resources connected those schoolhouse ceremonies and connected keeping them safe, respectful, and moving smoothly."