Group of students walk out of Duke graduation before Jerry Seinfeld’s speech

May 13

Karah Rucker Anchor

By Karah Rucker (Anchor), Brock Koller (Senior Producer), William Jackson (Producer), Ian Kennedy (Lead Video Editor)

A group of Duke University students walked out of graduation on Sunday, May 12, as comedian Jerry Seinfeld received an honorary degree and prepared to deliver a speech. Approximately 30 students stood up from their seats — some carrying Palestinian flags — and left the commencement ceremony.

The protesting students chanted “Free Palestine,” while other graduates responded with a mix of boos and cheers, chanting “Jerry” in support of the guest speaker. The dissenting students held an alternative makeshift graduation elsewhere on the North Carolina campus.

student walkout at Duke university commencement as Jerry Seinfeld’s speech is announced. his introduction by university president is being drowned out by “free free Palestine” chants ❤️‍🔥🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/oNLesaput3
— the great clown snorman (@iamschvitzing) May 12, 2024

Seinfeld, who has two children attending Duke, has been vocal about his support for Israel since a Hamas terror attack in October.

Seinfeld posted an “I Stand With Israel” image on his Instagram account two days after Hamas’ attacks. He visited Israel in December where he met with freed hostages and families of those still being held captive.

In his speech, he addressed the concept of privilege, encouraging students not to shy away from utilizing their Duke education.

“Privilege is a word that has taken quite a beating lately,” Seinfeld said. “Privilege today seems to be the worst thing you can have. I would like to take a moment to defend it. Again, a lot of you are thinking, I can’t believe they invited this guy. Too late. I say, use your privilege. I grew up a Jewish boy from New York. That is a privilege, if you want to be a comedian.”

Seinfeld has not yet commented on the walkout.

Tags: Gaza, Hamas, Israel, Palestine, Protests

[KARAH RUCKER]

THE UNREST AT COLLEGE CAMPUSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY OVER THE WAR IN GAZA CONTINUED THIS WEEKEND – AS DOZENS OF STUDENTS WALKED OUT DURING DUKE’S COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY.

ROUGHLY 30 STUDENTS GOT UP FROM THEIR SEATS DURING SUNDAY’S CEREMONY — SOME WAVING PALESTINIAN FLAGS — AS COMEDIAN “JERRY SEINFELD” WAS AWARDED AN HONORARY DEGREE – AND WAS SET TO ADDRESS THE GRADUATING CLASS.

THE GROUP OF STUDENTS WALKING OUT COULD BE HEARD CHANTING “FREE PALESTINE.” THEY WERE MET BY A MIX OF BOOS AND CHEERS WITH OTHER GRADUATES CHANTING “JERRY” IN SUPPORT OF THE GUEST SPEAKER.

THE PROTESTING STUDENTS HELD AN ALTERNATE MAKESHIFT GRADUATION IN ANOTHER PART OF THE NORTH CAROLINA CAMPUS.

SEINFELD – who is jewish and HAS TWO CHILDREN ATTENDING DUKE – HAS BEEN OUTSPOKEN ABOUT HIS SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL SINCE HAMAS’ TERROR ATTACK IN OCTOBER.

IN HIS SPEECH – HE TOUCHED UPON THE CONCEPT OF PRIVILEGE WHILE TELLING STUDENTS NOT TO BE SHY ABOUT UTILIZING THE FACT THEY ATTENDED DUKE.

JERRY SEINFELD | ACTOR AND COMEDIAN

“Privilege is a word that has taken quite a beating lately. Privilege today seems to be the worst thing you can have. I would like to take a moment to defend it. Again, a lot of you are thinking, I can’t believe they invited this guy. Too late. I say, use your privilege. I grew up a Jewish boy from New York. That is a privilege, if you want to be a comedian.”

[KARAH RUCKER]

Seinfeld has not yet commented on the walkout.