Columbia University’s leader booed at graduation, grads shout ‘free Mahmoud’
By Jared Downing
Columbia University’s acting President Claire Shipman was drowned out by angry boos and chants at the school’s graduation ceremony Tuesday morning.
Social media videos showed Shipman taking the stage to a chorus of shouts from audience members enraged over the arrest of graduate student Mahmoud Khali by ICE agents in his New York City apartment.
Columbia University Acting President Claire Shipman was drowned out by boos during the college’s graduation ceremony.
Columbia University
Mahmoud Khali was arrested by ICE agents in his NYC apartment on March 8th, 2025.
“I know that many of you feel some amount of frustration with me and I know you feel it with the administration,” Shipman said, who struggled to be heard over the jeers.
At one point, she paused her speech for a full 30 seconds as the crowd chanted “free Mahmoud.”
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Khalil is a Palestinian green card holder who led anti-Israel protests at Columbia and “engaging in activities aligned with Hamas,” according to the feds.
He is being held in an ICE detention center in Louisiana, but his attorneys are fighting his impending deportation.
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