MIT bars student from graduation over pro-Palestine speech

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) barred its 2025 class president from attending Friday’s graduation ceremony after she delivered an unauthorised pro-Palestinian speech a day earlier.

The university announced the decision on Friday, without naming the student, stating she gave a speech during Thursday’s OneMIT commencement that had not been approved in advance.

"While that individual had a scheduled role at today’s Undergraduate Degree Ceremony, she was notified that she would not be permitted at today’s events," said university spokesperson Kimberly Allen. "MIT supports free expression but stands by its decision, which was in response to the individual deliberately and repeatedly misleading Commencement organisers and leading a protest from the stage, disrupting an important Institute ceremony."

The Palestinian Youth Movement later identified the student as Megha Vemuri. Wearing a keffiyeh, Vemuri criticised MIT’s connections with the Israeli military, accusing the institution of “aiding and abetting” its actions against Palestinians.

"As scientists, engineers, academics and leaders, we have a commitment to support life, support aid efforts and call for an arms embargo and keep demanding now as alumni, that MIT cuts the ties," she said.

The crowd responded with applause, with some students waving Palestinian flags.

“Right now, while we prepare to graduate and move forward with our lives, there are no universities left in Gaza,” Vemuri said. “We are watching Israel try to wipe out Palestine off the face of the earth, and it is a shame that MIT is a part of it."