MIT protesters walk out of graduation, march down Mass. Ave. in support of Palestinians

Dozens of graduates walked out of MIT's commencement ceremony on Thursday, chanting slogans in support of Palestinians in Gaza and condemning the university for its actions in disciplining protesters.

The walkouts continued to chant before moving on to Massachusetts Avenue, where they unfurled banners and briefly blocked traffic. They then marched to the Charles River, crossing the Mass. Ave. Bridge and cutting off traffic into Boston.

About two dozen MIT students were suspended after police cleared a pro-Palestinian encampment earlier this month. A university spokesperson said some of those students were allowed to complete their coursework and could be eligible to graduate.

The walkout was the latest in several high-profile commencement protests in the area, which in many cases were preceded by prolonged encampments and demonstrations on campus. At Harvard, where students voluntarily broke camp, 13 seniors were nonetheless denied diplomas in time for their commencement ceremony.