Columbia University, the epicenter of the ongoing anti-Israel protests across the nation, canceled its university-wide commencement ceremony Monday as protesters continue to occupy portions of the campus.
Traditionally, Columbia has held graduation ceremonies on its main campus, but demonstrations have forced the May 15 event off campus with a series of smaller ceremonies.
Ceremonies at the University of Michigan and Northeastern University in Boston have already been interrupted by anti-Israel protesters. Some disruptors carried flags and chanted pro-Palestinian messages, and at least one wore a blood-soaked shirt.
The White House described Columbia’s decision as “unfortunate,” while House Speaker Mike Johnson called it a lack of “moral leadership.”
