Commencement weekend marks the culmination of years of hard work for students. Across New York, thousands are celebrating their accomplishments.

This year, however, pro-Palestinian encampments loomed over any excitement heading into commencement day. 

After Syracuse University’s commencement concluded, pro-Palestinian protesters on campus made their voices heard around hundreds of graduates.

But as graduates, professors and loved ones gathered inside the JMA Wireless Dome, hundreds of feet away was a group of Pro-Palestinian protestors looking to make their voices heard.

“Free, free, free Palestine," was one of several chants the group chanted towards graduates.

This comes days after Syracuse University asked the protesters to move to another location to open up the space for commencement. After the ceremony, protesters shouted chants from their encampment.

“If we are going to care about students whose graduation is disrupted, we need to care about the fact that all 19 universities in Gaza have been bombed to rubble," said Cai Cafiero, a protester staying at the encampment. "There are students who have been murdered. There are students who have been displaced and are unable to graduate.”

Some grads were bothered and yelled at the protesters; others walked right by; and some were fine with it.

“I think this is a college campus, and that's the whole purpose of this environment," Syracuse graduate Eduardo Hernandez said. "It allows us to grow and ... let our voices be heard. I see, honestly, nothing wrong with it.”

Also at the encampment was an Israeli supporter who was there to celebrate his son’s graduation.

“We want peace," said Les Aaron. "The old Golda Meir expression: If Israel was to lay down their arms, there would be no Israel. If the Arabs decided that they wanted peace and they lay down their arms, there would be peace.” 

“We are here in peace," Cafiero said. "We are here for peace. The liberation of Palestinian people is not anti-Zionist or is not antisemitic. It is not calling for the destruction of Jewish people. I am Jewish. I do not want my name as a Jewish person used to call for the genocide of millions. We’ll be here until the administration comes to the table to negotiate with us.”