UNC graduates shine despite campus protest, vandalism

Saturday night the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill proudly celebrated its graduating Class of 2024.

Despite pre-commencement concerns of potential protests, the ceremony unfolded smoothly, allowing graduates to take center stage and revel in their achievements.

"Being the university of the people is not always easy especially if people aren't of one mind, and they never are," Lee Roberts, Interim UNC Chancellor said.

Many in the graduating class haven't had a traditional graduation before.

Four years ago, a pandemic denied them the chance to walk across the high school stage.

The ceremony took place, but with stricter security.

Clear bags and student IDs are mandatory. Signs and flags are prohibited.

This follows a campus event two weeks ago where the interim chancellor called police on pro-Palestinian protestors who replaced an American flag with a Palestinian one.

Just hours before the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) commencement ceremony a pro-Palestinian rally on campus took place as some demonstrators vandalized the South Building with paint and chalk.

Demonstrators defaced the South Building with red paint, including images of bloody hands and messages saying "UNC has blood on its hands."

The steps of the building were also covered in red paint.

UNC has since power washed that off.

Also on the campus, a new protest encampment has been established, with tents set up and protestors holding signs that read "Stop Genocide" and "End the Siege."

On Franklin Street earlier today, protesters organized a "people's graduation" to honor students suspended following a campus protest two weeks ago. The protest involved the intervention of police called in by UNC's interim chancellor.

There were more than 6,700 students in this year's graduating class.