When pro-Palestinian protesters set up an encampment on the stage at Pomona College last week, the administration made the decision to relocate the school’s graduation ceremony to the historic Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. However, the protesters also moved to LA, leading to clashes with police outside the auditorium. So Why Los Angeles Pomona college graduation moved to historic shrine auditorium.
Background of the Protests Student activists at Pomona have been demanding the college administration publicly call for a cease-fire in the Israel-Gaza conflict and divest endowment funds from corporations with ties to Israel’s activities in Gaza and the West Bank. There have been ongoing campus protests, including an April occupation of the president’s office that led to 19 arrests.
With graduation approaching, protesters stepped up actions by setting up an encampment on the commencement stage. They refused to leave, forcing Pomona to take the extraordinary measure of moving graduation to an off-campus location – the iconic Shrine Auditorium in LA.
Graduation Day: Protesters Descend on the Shrine
However, protesters were determined to take their demonstrations to the new graduation venue. On Sunday afternoon, over 100 pro-Palestine supporters gathered outside the Shrine Auditorium. Clashes soon erupted with the dozens of LAPD officers securing the area.
According to reports, some protesters “charged” the police lines. Officers pushed back forcefully, with batons drawn. One protester claimed they used excessive force, striking people in the stomach, including several women. There was also an allegation an officer pulled off a Muslim woman’s hijab during a takedown.
A legal observer with the National Lawyers Guild said they witnessed police shoving a guild member wearing a green hat to the ground, despite clearly identifying themselves. This “shows the police were trying to intimidate students and punish them for exercising First Amendment rights,” said a protester.
The Confrontations Continue Around 6:30 pm, most protesters marched away from the auditorium and regrouped in a nearby courtyard. A Pomona graduate gave a speech calling for an end to the war and university divestment from Israel.
Protester Tharwa Khalid said officers had escalated the situation with no warning, pushing people down and striking them. She stated several women sustained bruising from baton blows to the stomach.
Meanwhile, graduation went ahead inside the Shrine Auditorium. Later in the evening, protesters dispersed, and police cordoned off the area. A few late family members were initially denied entry but eventually allowed in to see their graduates collect their degrees.
Echoes of USC Commencement Controversy
The scenes outside the Shrine Auditorium echoed recent events at USC. Pro-Palestine protests also forced USC to cancel graduation on campus and move it to the LA Coliseum. They held an alternative event with drones and fireworks but no student speeches.
Like at USC, Pomona student activists are calling for administration condemnation of Israeli military actions and divestment from firms involved with the occupation. They accuse the college of failing to stand up for human rights in Palestine.
Protests Also at Nearby Harvey Mudd College Ceremony Nearby Harvey Mudd College held its commencement on the same day. Around 30 graduates protested in support of Palestinians, wearing mortarboards with “Cut defense ties” messages.
Some students waved Palestinian flags in their graduate photos. Others revealed banners reading “Free Palestine” and “No tech for genocide.”
In her speech, graduate Saachi Patel said her degree meant little given the civilian deaths in Gaza. She stood with students demanding divestment from firms tied to the conflict, triggering applause and cheers from some families.
Ongoing Tensions Around College Campuses The clashes at the Shrine Auditorium reflect growing tensions over the Israel-Palestine conflict on American college campuses. Student activist groups like Students for Justice in Palestine regularly protest, call for boycotts, and demand universities cut ties with firms that profit from Israeli policies towards Palestinians.
However, many Jewish students and administrators accuse such activism of being antisemetic. There have been allegations of intimidation against Jewish and pro-Israel students. Some states have even passed legislation aimed at suppressing the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement over Israel’s activities in the occupied territories.
With no sign of an end to the Gaza conflict, campus debates over divestment and the Israeli-Palestinian issue look set to intensify next semester. The scenes at Pomona’s relocated graduation highlight how protests can spiral into confrontation and violence in this heated environment.
The Pomona graduation controversy raises challenging questions about free speech, student activism, academic freedom, and campus safety. As Middle East violence continues, administrators will likely face further pressure from opposing student groups demanding they take a stand on this polarizing issue. I sincerely hope you find this “Why Los Angeles Pomona college graduation moved to historic shrine auditorium? What Really Happened?” article helpful.
Ruby Arora is the lead writer at LosAngelesDailyNews.net, where she brings her extensive expertise in journalism and communications to cover Los Angeles’ vibrant culture and breaking news. Ruby holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and has a track record of delivering insightful and accurate stories. Connect with her on Instagram and YouTube for more updates and behind-the-scenes content.
