Several alumni of Columbia University joined together to denounce the School of International and Public Affairs during a protest instead of participating in the annual “Alumni Day” celebrations. The protest was sparked by the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and graduate student at SIPA, who was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at his university-owned apartment. The demonstration, organized by SIPA Alumni for Palestine, included alumni and current student speakers denouncing the school, with participants chanting and collectively tearing up their diplomas.
Protesters accused Columbia University of failing to protect Khalil and stood in solidarity with Palestinians and immigrants facing oppression. The Trump administration claimed Khalil was a threat to foreign policy due to his role in pro-Palestinian protests and sought to deport him, targeting protesters who hold student visas.
The protest occurred amid leadership changes at Columbia University, with the interim president stepping aside and a new president, Claire Shipman, being appointed. Many at the protest expressed skepticism about the university’s leadership and criticized its response to the detention of Khalil and other immigrant students.
Current students at the protest shared their fears about attending classes and expressed disappointment in the fading reputation of Columbia as a bastion of freedom of speech and academic freedom. They called on the university to take a stand and protect the rights of students like Khalil who engage in peaceful protests.
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