UC Berkeley Student Denied Diploma for Displaying Palestinian Flag at Graduation
Student carrying Palestinian flag at ceremony denied diploma until he puts the flag away
National Post
Image: National Post
A graduating student at the University of California, Berkeley was denied his diploma until he removed a Palestinian flag during the graduation ceremony. University policy prohibits flags, leading to a brief confrontation with the dean before the student complied and received his diploma.
- 01The incident occurred at the spring graduation ceremony for the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley.
- 02The student was informed by university staff that flags were prohibited as per university policy.
- 03The dean, David C. Wilson, stated that all students received guidelines before the ceremony prohibiting flags and banners.
- 04The student complied after a brief discussion with the dean, and received his diploma without a handshake.
- 05This incident follows similar events at other universities, where students displaying Palestinian flags faced removal from ceremonies.
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During a graduation ceremony at the University of California, Berkeley, a student attempted to receive his diploma while holding a Palestinian flag, only to be told by university staff that flags were not allowed. Video footage shows the student, who was met with cheers from the audience, engaging in a 40-second conversation with the dean, David C. Wilson, who reiterated the university's policy against flags. After briefly stepping off stage to hand the flag to someone in the audience, the student returned to collect his diploma, which had been temporarily withheld. Wilson later confirmed that the student complied with the guidelines and expressed pride in all graduates. This incident is part of a broader trend, as other universities have seen similar actions against students displaying Palestinian flags during graduation ceremonies, prompting discussions about freedom of expression and university policies.
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The incident raises questions about freedom of expression and university policies regarding political symbols at public events.
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