Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin was heckled by students at George Mason University this week while delivering the commencement address at the school.

Yougkin’s selection as commencement speaker sparked opposition from some students who cited his support for “anti-trans legislation,” efforts to abolish what they called “racial equity curricula” and book bans, according to a petition protesting his invitation to speak which attracted more than 8,000 signatures.

While most students applauded the Republican governor, others held up signs reading “Mason Demands Action,” and a few booed him and walked out of the event.

“I think it feels very empowering,” Jason Motley, a protester who bounced on the speech told WUSA9. “I think whatever person he may be, his political views just don’t align with the betterment of this university.”

“His beliefs don’t align with the university and a lot of beliefs in this institution,” a second student Dunni Oni told the network. “My big thing is ensuring that Mason students at large feel safe, heard and protected, and he does not ensure that.”