Students Exit Jerry Seinfeld’s Speech Amidst National Ceremony Disruptions

TL/DR –

Dozens of students at Duke University walked out on comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s commencement speech in protest of Israel’s war in Gaza. Seinfeld, who has publicly supported Israel and has been noted for his vocal support, was receiving an honorary degree from the university. There were also small pro-Palestinian protests at colleges and universities across the country, from North Carolina to California, during commencement ceremonies.

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On Sunday, Jerry Seinfeld’s commencement speech at Duke University was interrupted by student walkouts protesting Israel’s war in Gaza. Videos on social media captured students exiting the stadium while Duke president Vincent Price introduced Seinfeld.

Seinfeld, who has publicly supported Israel after the Hamas attack on 7 October, and met with hostage families in a kibbutz in December, has been outspoken about his support. His new movie, Unfrosted, has sparked further attention, as reported by the .

Pro-Palestinian protests echoed across other US campuses during commencement ceremonies. For example, about 100 students and family members walked out of Virginia Commonwealth University’s ceremony during a speech by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin.

At University of Wisconsin-Madison, a silent protest took place during commencement at Camp Randall Stadium. Police reported that no arrests were made. Meanwhile, at the University of Texas, Austin, a student waved a Palestinian flag on stage during the ceremony before being escorted off by security.

At the University of California, Berkeley, a group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators waved flags and chanted during commencement, but were eventually escorted to the back by security. Some attendees voiced frustration at the interruption of the ceremony.

These protests were subdued compared to Friday’s events at other universities, where police arrested dozens as pro-Gaza protest camps were dismantled at the University of Pennsylvania and MIT, shortly after similar camps were tear-gassed and taken down at the University of Arizona.

The Associated Press has recorded at least 75 instances of arrests at US campus protests since April 18, with nearly 2,900 people arrested at 57 colleges and universities.

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