George Washington University students say they are worried about graduation being disrupted by pro-Palestinian protests
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — One of the reasons Richard Li said he chose to attend George Washington University (GW) was the appeal of the graduation ceremony being on the National Mall.
But the senior said the pro-Palestinian protests and encampment that have dominated the sprawling campus have him concerned that protesters will interrupt the ceremony on May 19.
“I pray that our commencement doesn’t get disrupted,” Li said. “A lot of us missed our commencement already back in high school because of COVID, and if we were to lose our commencement to this, I’d personally be very, very angry.”
With the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in conjunction with the GW police force taking down the encampment on Wednesday, students said they are trying to return back to a sense of normalcy.
DC police clear pro-Palestine encampment at George Washington University; demonstrators arrested
Some students said they find returning back to normal a difficult task, with the protests causing noise into the night and causing study challenges for students in the middle of final exams.
Skyler Sieradzky, who is also a senior at GW, said she has serious concerns that her graduation will marred by more protests.
”Columbia just canceled their commencement. I believe USC canceled their commencement,” Sieradzky said. “So it’s a big fear that what’s going to happen now for the graduating class.”
Sieradzky said sides have been drawn in the debate on the Israel war in Gaza and that emotions are raw.
“So I’m not really sure how we move forward, because a big fear of mine is that they’re just going to prop up somewhere else after graduation, after commencement, when the barricades come down,” she said.
Li said he hopes the protesters stay away from this year’s graduation ceremony.
“It’s the only school in the country that we get to have our commencement on the National Mall,” Li said. “I imagine it to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
