{"id":28255,"date":"2025-05-26T17:26:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-26T17:26:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=28255"},"modified":"2025-05-26T17:26:02","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T17:26:02","slug":"video-of-a-young-father-chased-by-police-during-graduation-ceremony-sparked-buzz-what-happened","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=28255","title":{"rendered":"Video of a Young Father Chased by Police during Graduation Ceremony Sparked Buzz \u2013 What Happened"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The recent UB graduate was keeping a promise he had made to himself and his son despite all odds. The university released a statement regarding the incident, and he, too, has spoken out.<\/p>\n

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Jean Paul Al Arab was part of the Class of 2025, waiting to receive his hard-earned diploma at the University of Buffalo’s commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 18, 2025.<\/p>\n

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A screengrab of a video from the University of Baffalo’s commencement ceremony, dated May 23, 2025. | Source: YouTube\/New York Post<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The moment was significant, as Arab had brought his six-month-old son to walk across the stage and proudly receive his qualification.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In a\u00a0clip<\/u>\u00a0shared online<\/a>, Arab is seen walking with his son, but he rushes through the procession as campus police and security personnel chase after them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A screengrab of a video from the University of Baffalo’s commencement ceremony, dated May 23, 2025. | Source: YouTube\/New York Post<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Although he appeared visibly frazzled as his and his child’s graduation caps fell off, he quickly picked them up, shook hands with one of the university officials, and hurried down the stairs with a police officer in tow. The moment still drew wild cheers from the audience<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Shortly after, Arab addressed the viral moment with a TikTok video. He explained that during the preparatory class for the ceremony, he had asked if he could walk with his baby, and they\u00a0told<\/u><\/a>\u00a0him, “it was fine.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“But when the time came, they tried to stop me and even called the police,” he\u00a0said<\/u><\/a>. “They tried to escort me out, but honestly, the only reason they let me go was because of all of you who cheered and supported me\u2014so thank you.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Viewers flooded his comments section with even more messages of support.\u00a0“Crazy for them to try to ruin your moment!! They did way too much!!”\u00a0<\/i>one person\u00a0noted<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“Don’t the police have MUCH better things to do than chase a Dad across a stage and endanger his babe? Congratulations, you amazing Dad!!! We were cheering you on, loud and clear!!!”<\/i>\u00a0another\u00a0wrote<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“You deserve a standing ovation. Your hard work and determination will pay off. Good job, Dad. Not many can accomplish what you have – job, school, wife, and kids!?!?!! You’re the best,”<\/i>\u00a0a commenter\u00a0praised<\/u><\/a>\u00a0the young Lebanese native.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A screengrab of a video news report uploaded on May 21, 2025. | Source: YouTube\/NBC News<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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“I hope you sue them for endangering your son and causing unnecessary trauma. If HARVARD let’s people walk with babies. This university needs to stop. I hope you fleece their legal fund DRY! Ain’t No way that wasn’t racially motivated [sic]!”<\/i>\u00a0a commenter\u00a0added<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The following week, on Wednesday, May 21, the University of Buffalo published a statement addressing the matter, saying that Arab had broken commencement rules by bringing an infant onstage at the Alumni Arena.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A screengrab of a video news report uploaded on May 21, 2025. | Source: YouTube\/NBC News<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The university\u00a0acknowledged<\/u><\/a>\u00a0that “the situation created a light-hearted moment for the thousands in attendance who cheered on,” but maintained that Arab’s actions “were a violation of commencement rules.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The statement quotes one specific rule, which\u00a0says<\/u><\/a>, “Only graduating students may participate in the graduation ceremony, including walking in the processional and crossing the stage.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A screengrab of a video news report uploaded on May 21, 2025. | Source: YouTube\/NBC News<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Following the incident, the school revealed that Arab apologized to the commencement officials for the disruption via email. UB then\u00a0emphasized<\/u><\/a>\u00a0that “commencement rules were in place for the safety of all those in attendance and to avoid disruptions in the venue.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The institution also assured that Arab wouldn’t be penalized and would still receive his degree. The statement then\u00a0concluded<\/u><\/a>\u00a0on a light-hearted note: “The infant, despite crossing the stage in a cap and gown, has not yet earned enough credits to receive a diploma. We hope to see him back on stage in about 20 years so he can follow in his dad’s footsteps.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A screengrab of a video news report uploaded on May 21, 2025. | Source: YouTube\/NBC News<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In an interview with People published this Saturday, on May 24, Arab spoke about the viral moment and also shared his story.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In addition to studying a full-time course, Arab also juggles two jobs\u2014as a remote medical assistant and waiter\u2014alongside his at-home and parenting responsibilities. Much of his free time is dedicated to catching up on assignments and spending time with his family.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A screengrab of a video news report uploaded on May 21, 2025. | Source: YouTube\/NBC News<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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He moved from Lebanon to Buffalo, New York, in 2022. He had previously earned a degree in his home country and was able to transfer his credits and complete the remaining requirements at UB within a year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He finished his Bachelor’s in Criminology in December 2024, which he accepted on May 18. He then began his master’s program this spring.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Speaking about walking with his son at the commencement ceremony, he\u00a0said<\/u><\/a>, “That moment on stage meant everything to me.” Arab shared that it was symbolic and represented all the sleepless nights he endured and every sacrifice he made.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Still, he\u00a0wondered<\/u><\/a>, “The big question that’s been on my mind throughout all of this is: why is it such a big deal for a father to walk with his baby?”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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