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A UC Berkeley student was temporarily refused his diploma for carrying a Palestinian flag on stage during the Goldman School of Public Policy’s graduation ceremony Tuesday.
Videos posted on social media depict a graduating student with a long beard and wearing dark glasses unfurl the flag onstage then hold it behind his back as he went to accept his diploma.
Dean David Wilson refused to hand the diploma as the two engaged in a conversation and a female announcer stated on the microphone: “I’m sorry, but we’re not allowed to have flags. Flags are prohibited. We’re not allowed to have flags.”
“It’s not our policy, it’s the university policy.”
The crowd of students and parents erupted in cheers and then boos, with one student chanting “Free Palestine, videos show.
The announcer offered to hold on to the flag, giving the student a chance to accept his diploma. The student proceeded to hand the folded flag to a member of the audience and resume with the ceremony as he ultimately received the diploma.
UC Berkeley’s campus media affairs division provided The College Fix a copy of the memo sent to Goldman School students regarding the incident.
“Prior to the ceremony, all students were provided with written, content- and perspective-neutral guidelines which clearly stated that all ‘SIGNS / BANNERS / FLAGS’ were prohibited in the venue,” stated the memo, signed by Dean Wilson.
“During the degree-awarding portion of the ceremony, one graduate brought a flag onto the stage and when the student reached me on stage, I communicated that their actions were not consistent with the written guidelines,” he wrote.
“Our dialogue was civil and, ultimately, the student complied, received their scroll and we finished the ceremony without further disruption. I am proud of him and of every member of the Class of 2026.”
The university’s “Free Speech” and “Time, Place, and Manner” policy states that “Disrupting or interfering with campus operations is prohibited,” but does not specify what kind of protests are deemed “interference.”
Online, some have argued the policy is too strict, that students should be allowed to express themselves during such a huge moment in their life. But others argue the ceremony is for all to enjoy, and if it becomes about political messaging, it disrupts and detracts from the celebration for all.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, UC Berkeley’s Students For Justice in Palestine, and Berkeley Hillel did not respond to The College Fix’s request for comment.
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