Universities across the country are facing disruptions during their commencement ceremonies amid ongoing pro-Palestinian protests. According to an NBC News tally, nearly 3,000 arrests have been made in connection with these protests. The weekend saw several incidents at various universities, including Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), the University of Southern California (USC), the University of Pennsylvania, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of Texas at Austin.

At VCU, dozens of students staged a silent walkout during Governor Glenn Youngkin's commencement address. The walkout was organized by student groups, including the VCU chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, to protest Youngkin's policies and his involvement in the arrests of pro-Palestinian student protesters in April. Attendees who left the ceremony were not allowed to re-enter.

USC canceled its main stage ceremony due to safety concerns over student protests and also decided not to allow Muslim student Asna Tabassum to deliver her valedictorian speech, citing safety concerns related to the Middle East conflict. Tabassum walked the stage in a separate ceremony and received loud applause.

The University of Pennsylvania faced a confrontation when security forces in riot gear removed demonstrators who had defied orders to disperse. Among the 33 arrested, nine were students. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill implemented additional safety measures and reminded students of free speech laws, warning that significant disruptions would not be tolerated.

The University of Texas at Austin faced criticism for calling in state troopers to arrest protesters. University President Jay Hartzell assured the class of 2024 that their commencement would proceed without disruption and emphasized a "no tolerance" policy for any interference.

These incidents reflect the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the efforts of pro-Palestinian activists to raise awareness and advocate for their cause on college campuses. The universities, though committed to protecting free speech rights, are also striving to maintain order and respect for the commencement proceedings.

As universities gear up for more commencement ceremonies, the clashes between protesters and administrators underscore the delicate balance between allowing peaceful protests and ensuring the smooth execution of these significant milestones in students' lives.