Protesting students walk out on Jerry Seinfeld’s Duke University graduation speech
- Some students chanted ‘free Palestine’ to protest university’s guest speaker, comedian Jerry Seinfeld
- It was the latest manifestation of protests that have roiled US campuses over the Gaza war
Dozens of students walked out of Duke University’s graduation ceremony Sunday as comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who has vocally supported Israel over its war in Gaza, received an honorary doctorate, videos posted on social media showed.
Accounts posting the footage said the students at the prestigious university were protesting the usually apolitical star’s stance on Israel, which has drawn controversy. Students could be seen carrying a Palestinian flag.
It is the latest unrest over the war to rock US campuses, which have become a political flashpoint after weeks of protests that have seen thousands arrested.
A live feed from Duke of the graduation ceremony did not show the walkouts, but boos were audible, forcing university president Vincent Price to briefly halt his introduction of Seinfeld as the comedian stood next to him.
Seinfeld accepted the honorary degree to cheers, and delivered the school’s commencement address without further interruption.
