‘I’m not a proud alumni at all’

A group of Columbia University graduates made a bold statement over the weekend by tearing up their diplomas on campus in protest of the school and the federal detention of former student and anti-Israel demonstration leader Mahmoud Khalil.

The rally took place during Columbia’s annual Alumni Day celebration, with students and a few dozen School of International and Public Affairs graduates participating in the demonstration. Chanting “Free Palestine,” the group expressed their discontent with the current situation.

Amali Tower, a 2009 SIPA graduate who spoke at the protest and tore up her diploma, shared her perspective with NBC News. She stated, “It’s not easy to do this, with none of us doing this lightly. There’s no joy in this. I’m not a proud alumni at all, and instead I want to stand with the students, and I want to stand with Palestinians, and I want to stand with immigrants who are being rounded up and harassed, oppressed and deported as we speak.”

The protest occurred amidst ongoing turmoil at Columbia, which recently saw its board of trustees remove interim university President Katrina Armstrong during a conflict with the Trump administration. The White House had demanded a ban on facial coverings worn by campus protesters, threatening to withdraw hundreds of millions of dollars in federal aid if the demand was not met.

Although the university complied with some demands from the administration’s Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, Armstrong downplayed the policy changes to faculty members. Following Armstrong’s removal, SIPA alumni Claire Shipman was appointed as acting president by the board of trustees.

Despite the leadership changes, the concerns of the Alumni Day protesters remained unaddressed. One alumna named Hannah expressed skepticism about Shipman’s appointment, suggesting that the board of trustees would continue to prioritize their interests over those of the students.

Mahmoud Khalil, the focal point of the protest, was arrested by ICE for his involvement in anti-Israel demonstrations at Columbia. The Trump administration seeks to deport Khalil, citing his alleged ties to Hamas and misrepresentation of information on his green-card application.

The rally saw current and former students advocating for Khalil’s release, with chants and signs calling for “Free Palestine” and “Free Mahmoud Khalil.” A current SIPA student named Sarryeh, who is friends with Khalil, expressed sadness over his legal troubles, highlighting the impact of his absence on the community.

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