University of Chicago graduation: Pro-Palestinian protest in Hyde Park leads to clashes with police near the University of Chicago graduation ceremony

CHICAGO (WLS) — Saturday’s graduation ceremony at the University of Chicago was anything but ordinary.

In addition to the awarding of academic degrees and congratulations, there were pro-Palestinian protests and allegations that demonstrators had been sprayed with pepper spray.

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At the University of Chicago gathering on Saturday morning, students protested against the war in the Gaza Strip.

“It is difficult for people to celebrate on what should be a happy day when atrocities are happening all over the world,” said Abei Shemsu, who attended the closing ceremony.

Others and their supporters took to the streets in protest when the school stripped at least four high school graduates of their diplomas for their involvement in a pro-Palestinian camp. The camp at the school was cleared on May 7.

“We will continue to fight until the university winds down its affairs, discloses its debts and repairs itself,” said Youssef Hasweh, who was stripped of his degree.

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Hundreds joined the chorus of students demanding that their universities and colleges stop doing business with Israel or with companies they believe support the war in Gaza.

“The graduation ceremony should be fun without complaining about the war,” says Claudia Mandujano, the mother of a high school graduate.

The hours-long, rainy outdoor ceremony was interrupted only briefly. Some students waved Palestinian flags, while others wore traditional black-and-white checkered scarves over their robes as a sign of solidarity.

But during a separate rally and march, clashes broke out between pro-Palestinian protesters and university police.

A woman says she was sprayed in the face with pepper spray.

“The UCPD grabbed my arm, pulled me into the line, and as he pulled me in, he was yelling, ‘Get out! Get out! Get out!’ And then someone sprayed me with pepper spray,” said Elise Knaub.

In an emailed statement, a university spokesperson confirmed a confrontation between police and a protester. He wrote, in part: “During a protest at East 59th Street and South University Avenue, protesters attempted to enter a closed street and break through a barrier set up by the university. A few protesters engaged in violent behavior; one protester not affiliated with the university was arrested. Assault charges are pending.”

There were no further statements from the university regarding the protest.

Denied academic degrees may be re-awarded following the settlement of formal disciplinary proceedings.