Protesters Walk Out of Seinfeld’s Duke Speech

During Duke University’s commencement ceremony, a group of approximately 40 students staged a protest by walking out as comedian Jerry Seinfeld was being introduced as the commencement speaker. The protesters, who were waving Palestinian flags, could be heard booing and chanting as they exited the venue. This protest marks the latest in a series of demonstrations at college graduations across the nation.

After leaving the ceremony, the protesters gathered outside Duke’s Wallace Wade Stadium, where they continued their protest by chanting “free Palestine” and calling for the university to disclose its financial ties and divest from companies that do business with the Israeli military. The demonstration remained peaceful as the students expressed their views.

Jerry Seinfeld, known for his comedic work and recent public support for Israel, did not address the protests or the ongoing conflict in Gaza during his speech. Instead, he focused on receiving an honorary degree from the university, avoiding any mention of the controversy surrounding his appearance.

This protest at Duke University is part of a larger trend of student activism at graduation ceremonies. Similar incidents have occurred at other universities, such as Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where students have used graduation as a platform to voice their dissent on various issues.

Additionally, Seinfeld and his wife, Jessica Seinfeld, have faced criticism for their donations to a pro-Israel counterprotest at the University of California-Los Angeles, where clashes between counterprotesters and pro-Palestinian demonstrators occurred. This incident highlights the broader debate surrounding Israel and Palestine that has spilled over into university campuses and public events.