More than 100 people were arrested by the New York Police Department during a pro-Palestinian protest at Columbia University on Thursday. The protest began with an encampment set up by students and activists on the university’s campus.
Columbia University President Nemat “Minouche” Shafik requested the NYPD’s assistance in removing individuals who were occupying the South Lawn of the campus, citing violations of the university’s rules and policies.
The protesters, organized by groups like Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace, were advocating for the university to divest from corporations profiting from what they described as Israeli apartheid and genocide in Palestine. They set up the encampment to pressure Columbia to divest its funds from such corporations.
The protest at Columbia University reflects a broader trend of student activism across the nation in response to the conflict in Gaza. Universities have been grappling with how to respond to numerous protests and counter-protests held by students on campuses since the war began.
The encampment at Columbia began on Wednesday, while President Shafik was in Washington, DC, testifying before a House committee on the university’s response to antisemitism. The protesters aimed to draw attention to what they perceived as Columbia’s complicity in Israeli human rights violations through its financial investments.
Among those arrested was Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar, who was involved with Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine. Hirsi and two other students from Barnard College, located near Columbia University, had been suspended for participating in pro-Palestinian protests.
President Shafik wrote a letter to the NYPD requesting assistance in removing the protesters from the campus, citing safety concerns and violations of university rules. Mayor Eric Adams stated that the protesters had violated university rules, and the NYPD ensured the safety of the campus during the arrests.
The NYPD used bullhorns to warn protesters that they would be arrested unless they dispersed immediately. Despite the warnings, many protesters refused to leave, leading to the arrests. Most of those arrested will be summoned for trespassing, while two individuals face additional charges of obstruction of governmental administration.
The arrests occurred a day after President Shafik testified about the university’s response to antisemitism. Columbia University has faced criticism for its handling of antisemitic incidents on campus and for employing a professor who allegedly expressed support for Hamas on social media. The university stated that the professor had been fired.
Responding to the protest and arrests, Columbia University officials warned students that participation in the encampment could result in suspension pending investigation for possible violation of university policies. Students were informed that suspension would entail restricted access to campus facilities and activities, including attending classes and submitting coursework.
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