The White House expressed regret on Monday over the cancellation of Columbia University's main commencement ceremony this year, attributing it to protests on campus over the war in Gaza.
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that it was regrettable that a small group of people went too far and caused their classmates to miss out on this important event.
Jean-Pierre continued by acknowledging the significance of commencement day and the president's understanding of it as a moment of joy and celebration. She expressed empathy for the graduates who will now miss out on this significant day.
Jean-Pierre reiterated President Biden's recent comments on the protests related to the war in Gaza. sharply critical of aspects of the protests that have swept across college campuses nationwide in response to the war in Gaza.
The president strongly condemned the destruction of property and emphasized that peaceful protest is essential, but must not lead to disorder.
“Dissent is essential to democracy, but dissent must never lead to disorder,” he added.
Columbia The cancellation of the main graduation ceremony was announced on Monday with “security concerns” cited as one of the reasons. The school will be holding smaller school-level graduation ceremonies, as students expressed that these smaller-scale, school-based celebrations are more meaningful to them and their families.
The main factors prompting the cancellation were protests over the war in Gaza.
