Columbia University alumni perform hilarious self-own in protest to schools policies: Not easy to do this

Columbia University alumni ripped their diplomas to shreds in protest of a fellow student who was detained by ICE after leading students in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. 

Instead of joining in on the Ivy-League universitys annual Alumni Day festivities for the School of International and Public Affairs, several alumni gathered to denounce the prestigious school by ripping up their diplomas. 

The self-own protest comes after the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, 30, a graduate student at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), a Palestinian activist and a green card holder. 

Khalil was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at his university-owned apartment on March 8. 

Organized by SIPA Alumni for Palestine, the bold demonstration began with a group of alumni, along with a active student speakers, chanting before the group simultanelously tore up their diplomas.

Its not easy to do this, Amali Tower, a 2009 SIPA graduate, told NBCNews, claiming none of the former students acted lightly and took no joy in the act.

The scorned alumni noted that she had to fight hard to earn her masters degree from the high-ranking university as an immigrant who has experienced displacement.

Im not a proud alumni at all, and instead I want to stand with the students, and I want to stand with Palestinians, and I want to stand with immigrants who are being rounded up and harassed, oppressed and deported as we speak, she said. 

Columbia Universitys School of International and Public Affairs alumni ripped their diplomas to shreds in protest of a fellow student who was detained by ICE after leading students in pro-Palestinian demonstrations

Instead of joining in on the Ivy-League universitys annual Alumni Day festivities for the School of International and Public Affairs, several alumni gathered to denounce the prestigious school by ripping up their diplomas. Pictured: Student protesters gather inside their encampment on the Columbia University campus on April 29, 2024

The self-own protest comes after the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, 30, a graduate student at the School of International and Public Affairs, a Palestinian activist and a green card holder

Tower, along with other protestors, donned signs and chanted Free Mahmoud Khalil and Free Palestine, throughout the Saturday event. 

Khalils lawyers say he is currently being detained in a facility in Louisiana.

The Trump administration said it wants to deport Khalil because of his role in the pro-Palestinian protests on campus, while also accusing the 30-year-old graduate student of being a threat to foreign policy.

President Donald Trump has warned that the apprehension of Khalil represents the first arrest of many as his administration continues to crack down on campus opposition to the war in Gaza. 

However, a federal judge temporarily blocked the 30 year olds expulsion from the country. 

Khalil was detained on the night of March 8 as he and his wife were returning to their apartment in upper Manhattan by officials from the US Department of Homeland Security.

The agents reportedly told the couple that Khalil was being detained because his student visa had been revoked.

When his wife provided documents proving he was a green card holder, the agents said that was also being revoked and took him away in handcuffs, according to a lawsuit Khalils attorneys filed challenging his detention.

Its not easy to do this, Amali Tower, a 2009 SIPA graduate, told NBCNews, claiming none of the former students acted lightly and took no joy in the act. Pictured: A torn-apart Columbia University diploma

Organized by SIPA Alumni for Palestine , the bold demonstration began with a group of alumni, along with a active student speakers, chanting before a group ripping of diplomas. Pictured: Muslim protesters pray outside the main campus of Columbia University during a demonstration to denounce the immigration arrest of Mahmoud Khalil on March 14

The DHS has accused Khalil of leading activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.

The White House claimed Khalil organized protests where pro-Hamas propaganda was distributed.

This administration is not going to tolerate individuals having the privilege of studying in our country and then siding with pro-terrorist organizations that have killed Americans, Karoline Leavitt, Trumps press secretary, said.

Khalils lawyers claim there is no evidence that their client provided support of any kind to a terrorist organization.

Theyre trying to make an example of him to chill others from making similar speech, the legal official told the Associated Press. 

Not agreeing with your governments foreign policy decision to support Israel is not a reason for you to be in deportation proceedings.

Khalils (center in red) lawyers say he is currently being detained in a facility in Louisiana

President Donald Trump has warned that the apprehension of Khalil represents the first arrest of many as his administration continues to crack down on campus opposition to the war in Gaza. Pictured: Lawyers for the US Justice Department and detained Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil appeared in federal court to argue over the jurisdiction of his petition for release on March 29, 2025

Khalil was one of the most visible activists in the protests last spring at Columbia, which also happened on other college campuses around the world.

He served as a student negotiator - a role that had him speaking frequently with university officials and the press.

He was among the pro-Palestinian activists investigated by a new disciplinary body at Columbia University focused on harassment and discrimination complaints.

Khalil completed his master’s degree in public administration at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs in December.