Many Virginia Commonwealth University students walked out of their graduation ceremony during Governor Glenn Youngkin’s commencement address on Saturday.
Some students who walked out told The Washington Post that they were criticizing the Republican governor’s educational policies, while others wanted to show their solidarity for Palestine.
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In recent weeks, protests have erupted on college campuses across the country, with students demanding that their colleges cut financial links with Israel in the midst of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Students filed out of the Greater Richmond Convention Center as Gov. Youngkin began his presentation, according to photos and videos shared on social media. Governor Youngkin warned students who left they could not return.
Despite the walkout and a brief round of applause for the demonstrators, Mr. Youngkin finished his speech.
He later posted a message on X congratulating the children, but did not mention the protests.
Some criticized Gov. Youngkin’s selection as commencement speaker for his opposition to the school’s consideration of a racial literacy requirement, as well as his views that encampments on college campuses should not be permitted, according to the BBC.
Several institutions at the center of the Gaza protests will hold graduation ceremonies this weekend, while others have been canceled.
According to The Associated Press, at least 75 protests have taken place on US campuses since April 18th, with arrests made. 57 schools and universities arrested nearly 2,900 people.
On April 29, when police evicted the encampment at Virginia Commonwealth University, they arrested 13 people, including six students.
Protests started approximately three weeks ago at Columbia University in New York City.
Some colleges across the country cracked down immediately, while others permitted the protests. Some people have recently started calling the police, citing concerns about interruptions to campus life and safety.
