Anti-war protest in Gaza amidst the graduation ceremony at the University of Michigan

The University of Michigan's graduation ceremony on Saturday witnessed anti-war protests and chants in Gaza, with demonstrators raising Palestinian flags and student demonstrations clashing with the pomp of the annual celebrations.

No arrests were reported, and the protest of about 50 people, many wearing traditional Arab keffiyehs along with graduation caps, did not disrupt the nearly two-hour event at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, which was attended by tens of thousands of people.

One protest banner read: “There are no universities left in Gaza.”

US Navy Secretary Carlos del Toro paused several times during his remarks, saying at one point: “Ladies and gentlemen, if you could direct your attention back to the podium.” As he administered the graduates' swearing-in, del Toro said they would "protect the freedoms we hold so dear," including "the right to peacefully protest."

The university had allowed protesters to set up a camp on campus, but police helped disperse a large gathering on Friday night and one person was arrested.

Tents of demonstrators demanding that universities stop doing business with Israel or companies they say support the war in Gaza have spread on campuses across the country in recent weeks in a student movement like no other.

Some universities reached agreements with the demonstrators to end the protests and reduce the possibility of disrupting final and beginning exams.

According to data from universities and law enforcement agencies, some camps have been removed and protesters arrested in police crackdowns, with at least 61 incidents recorded since April 18, and arrests have occurred at university protests across the United States. More than 2,400 people were arrested on 47 college and university campuses.