As it Happened: More Than 1,000 Stage Walkout at Harvard Commencement Ceremony

More than 1,000 people staged a walkout in support of 13 undergraduates who were barred from graduating, while interim President Alan M. Garber ’76 was booed at the end of his address to graduates. Follow The Crimson for live coverage of Harvard’s eventful Commencement ceremonies.

Pro-Palestine Harvard graduates lead a walkout of the University's commencement ceremonies.Photo byJina H. Choe

BY CRIMSON NEWS STAFF

May 23, 2024

More than 1,000 people walked out of Harvard’s 373rd Commencement while chanting “Let them walk,” in reference to the 13 Harvard College seniors who were denied degrees after their participation in the pro-Palestine encampment in Harvard Yard.

As interim Harvard President Alan M. Garber ’76 began to confer degrees upon the 9,262 graduates, beginning with students receiving degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the FAS, hundreds of students rose from their seats and began to walk out, protesting the University’s response to the war in Gaza and sanctions on students who participated in the encampment.

As the protesters exited Harvard Yard, several Palestinian flags flew toward the back of the ceremony.

David C. Parkes, Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, continued to speak, raising his voice slightly over the chants of the protesters.

The administrators continue the conferral as usual, not acknowledging the chants, which continued for the duration of the ceremony.

As students chanted, Garber looked unfazed. University leadership anticipated disruptions to the Commencement ceremonies, even going so far as to change the route of the processions in preparation.

The pro-Palestine protesters marched to Epworth Church, a short walk away from Harvard Yard, where they hosted a “People’s Commencement” ceremony, in which they honored the 13 undergraduates who were denied diplomas from Harvard.

Students and families gather in front of Widener Library in anticipation of the Commencement exercises.Photo byJulian J. Giordano