London 'Enhanced safety and security measures' at Western University's spring convocation amid pro-Palestinian protest concerns Diana El-Baraqouni, a Western University graduate, wearing a Kuffiyeh (a sign of solidarity with Palestinians) as she walks across the stage at Western’s convocation ceremony on June 10, 2024. (Reta Ismail/CTV News London) Share The first spring convocation ceremony was held inside Western University’s Alumni Hall Monday morning. Although not part of a typical graduation gown – graduating Western University student Diana El-Baraqouni donned a keffiyeh as she walked across the stage and shook hands with President Alan Shepard.
A group of pro-Palestinian students, known as the Western Divestment Coalition, put out a call to action on their social media, encouraging graduating students to show solidary with the Palestinian community. “We’re not trying to ruin the experience of convocation – what we are trying to do is ensure that the people who are here from the Western community are able to engage with us and learn how they can support us best. If they want to walk across the stage with a keffiyeh, if that means if they want to walk across the stage with a banner, then we are going to provide them with whatever they need,” said Western engineering student and pro-Palestinian protester Jay, who wore a Keffiyeh to disguise himself for fear of repercussions.
A Western Divestment Coalition post on social media. (Source: Western Divestment Coa.
