Scores of helmeted police officers descended onto Columbia University’s campus in New York City on Tuesday, initiating the removal of barricades set up by pro-Palestinian student demonstrators.
Witnesses observed police officers scaling Hamilton Hall, some ascending to the second floor from a laddered truck, and entering the building. Meanwhile, the Columbia Spectator, the student newspaper, reported ongoing arrests.
Earlier in the day, students had fortified Hamilton Hall, vowing to resist any attempts at eviction as they protested the mounting casualties resulting from Israel’s conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This action unfolded amidst nationwide efforts by university administrators to address pro-Palestinian demonstrations unfolding on campuses across the United States.
The protests, reminiscent of the widespread and prolonged unrest during the Vietnam War era, have led to the apprehension of hundreds of students and activists. Despite facing suspensions and expulsion threats, many protesters remain steadfast in their resolve.
“We will stand our ground here, drawing inspiration from our brethren in Gaza, who persevere even under the direst circumstances,” declared a protester, draped in a Palestinian keffiyeh headscarf, to reporters outside Hamilton Hall.
Meanwhile, protesters were observed using ropes to transport supplies to the building’s upper floors, suggesting a prolonged occupation.
The White House, under President Joe Biden, condemned the occupation of Hamilton Hall, categorizing it as “the wrong approach” and asserting that it did not exemplify peaceful protest.
The demonstrations have presented a quandary for university administrations, navigating the delicate balance between free speech rights and concerns of anti-Semitism and hatred infiltrating the rallies.
The wave of unrest has rippled through higher education institutions nationwide, with student demonstrators erecting encampments on campuses from coast to coast.
At Columbia, protesters have vowed to persist until their demands, including the divestment of all Israel-linked financial holdings by the university, are met. However, Columbia’s president, Minouche Shafik, indicated that dialogue with students had broken down, and the university has warned occupying students of potential expulsion.
According to a university press update on Tuesday, the number of occupants in the encampments and Hamilton Hall amounts to dozens, amidst a student body of nearly 37,000 attending Columbia.
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