Mixed feelings on potential disruption at this weekend’s UMass commencement

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – Commencement ceremonies have been disrupted by Pro-Palestinian protests and walk-outs all over the country.

There’s some mixed feelings about a potential disruption in support of Palestine happening at this Saturday’s UMass Amherst commencement ceremony at McGuirk Stadium. Walkouts and chants in support of Palestine have happened at various university commencement ceremonies, including Columbia and Duke.

22News talked to students ahead of this Saturday scheduled commencement about if they had any concerns about potential disruptions, “That’s just using our voices, you know? If administration doesn’t want us to be heard in another way with encampments or other rallies and protests, if that’s the best way for us to be recognized and heard… I’m in support of that.”

UMass Chancellor Javier Reyes did meet with the faculty senate and students on campus Tuesday afternoon to address concerns over how police responded to an on-campus encampment on May 7th though preparations for potential graduation disruptions were not prioritized in that discussion.

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22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts in March 1953. Watch the 22News digital edition on weekdays at 4 p.m.

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