In a recent development concerning campus encampment, it has been revealed that a significant portion of those arrested during anti-Israel protests at Columbia University and City College were not affiliated with either institution. This revelation follows Mayor Eric Adams’ expressed concerns about outside agitators influencing the crowd, just a day earlier.
A total of over 282 individuals were arrested at Columbia University on Tuesday amidst protests related to the Israel-Palestine crisis. Students and faculty occupied Hamilton Hall during the demonstrations, while law enforcement officials suspected the involvement of outside agitators. According to sources within law enforcement, 134 of the arrested individuals had no ties to either school.
Mayor Adams, addressing the media, stated, “What was given to me by my team, a preliminary review of the numbers, just the beginning process of analyzing, but it appears, though, that over 40% of those who participated in Columbia and CUNY were not from the school and they were outsiders,” as reported by the Post.
In a broader context, reports from the Associated Press indicate that the total number of arrests in ongoing protests across more than 35 campuses in the United States has surpassed 2000. The unrest has particularly affected prestigious Ivy League and leading schools, where students and faculty have gathered in solidarity with Palestine, advocating for college divestment from Israel.
Thursday morning saw police in riot gear confronting anti-Israel demonstrators at UCLA, resulting in several arrests and the dismantling of the demonstrators’ camp shortly after 3:00 a.m.
In response to the escalating situation on college campuses, President Joe Biden addressed the issue, defending the right to protest while emphasizing the necessity for order. “It is against the law when violence occurs. Destroying property is not a peaceful protest, it’s against the law,” stated the President. He further iterated that acts such as vandalism, trespassing, and intimidation are not forms of peaceful protest but violations of the law.
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