Harvard graduates walk out of commencement after weeks of protests

Hundreds of graduates at Harvard University walked out of their commencement Thursday after the school announced 13 students who participated in the recent pro-Palestinian protests on campus would not be allowed to receive their diplomas with fellow students.

Groups of graduates walked out chanting “Free, Free Palestine” and “Let them walk, let them walk” in reference to the students barred from walking at the ceremony, The Associated Press reported.

A total of more than 1,000 students participated in the walkout, according to the school’s protest groups.

Harvard’s administrative board determined the 13 students in question were not in “good standing” after they violated university policies through their involvement in the recent protest encampment on campus, the Harvard Corp. said in a written statement.

“In coming to this determination, we note that the express provisions of the Harvard College Student Handbook state that students who are not in good standing are not eligible for degrees,” according to the statement. “We understand that the inability to graduate is consequential for students and their families.”