Coverage dated May 19, 2025

Columbia University's acting president heckled with boos and shouts of 'Free Mahmoud' during graduation speech

Headline from NBC New York

The chants were in reference to Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate student who was detained in March by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

NBC New York's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Reports & sources

8 articles, oldest first.

  1. NBC New York

    Columbia University's acting president heckled with boos and shouts of 'Free Mahmoud' during graduation speech (opens NBC New York)

    Published

    NBC New York's feed description

    The chants were in reference to Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate student who was detained in March by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

  2. Fox News

    Students heckle Columbia acting president at graduation, shout 'Free Mahmoud' (opens Fox News)

    Published

    Fox News's feed description

    Columbia University's graduation was disrupted by students protesting for Mahmoud Khalil, highlighting tensions over anti-Israel protests and campus values.

  3. New York Post

    Columbia University’s leader booed at graduation, grads shout ‘free Mahmoud’ (opens New York Post)

    Published

    New York Post's feed description

    Columbia University's acting President Claire Shipman was drowned out by angry boo and chants at the school’s graduation ceremony Tuesday morning.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.

Columbia University's acting president heckled with boos and shouts of 'Free Mahmoud' during graduation speech | Since Then