Police officer suspended after confrontation with campus protesters captured on video

The City University of New York suspended one of its police officers after a confrontation with pro-Palestinian protesters during its graduation ceremony on Thursday.

The College of Staten Island was in the middle of holding graduation ceremonies for over 2,000 students when protesters clashed with police. Sergeant Donald Girard was filmed yelling at protesters while other police officers stood behind him with no weapons drawn. Protesters shouted back, claiming he supported genocide.

“I support genocide – I support killing all of you; how about that?” Girard can be heard saying in the video circulating on social media. As another protester is heard shouting “Fuck your mother” at him, Girard repeats the refrain to the protester who shouted at him.

CSI President Timothy Lynch expressed regret in a statement Friday that the incident “could have lasting effects on many in our community” and offered counseling to those involved.

“We want to make it clear that this officer’s offensive language does not reflect the views or values ​​of the College of Staten Island, CUNY, or our dedicated public safety staff of over 50 officers. We deeply regret that this incident occurred on such an important day for our graduates and their families,” the statement said. “We are conducting a detailed investigation and review of the incident to determine further appropriate actions.”

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Police presence has increased at various graduation ceremonies across the country in the wake of protests for a ceasefire in Gaza. Most protests during graduation ceremonies passed without incident, as students simply walked out of speeches by comedian Jerry Seinfeld and Governor Glenn Youngkin (R-VA).

By the end of the school year, most of the Palestinian protest camps were dismantled, and police were forced to arrest up to 2,300 protesters who refused to leave campus, even though many of them had no proven connection to these universities.