Over 100 arrested at Columbia University as police move in on pro-Palestinian protesters

NEW YORK — Police arrested greater than 100 folks at Columbia College on Thursday at a makeshift encampment arrange by pro-Palestinian protesters on the college’s essential garden. 

It was the second day of demonstrations on and off Columbia’s campus in Higher Manhattan after scholar’s arrange the unsanctioned encampment. 

Police have been monitoring actions close to campus for a lot of the day and made arrests earlier than confronting college students on the tents.

NYPD officers in riot gear began strolling to 114th Road and Broadway, the place they closed the road for seven correctional buses, at round 12:30 p.m. Officers then eliminated college students from the encampment. 

“We have been strolling round completely different components of campus to occupy that house and demand that our voices be heard,” stated Natan Rosenbaum, a sophomore at Columbia. “And after I confirmed up, everyone had already been arrested.” 

“One after the other, these cops received every of the encampment protesters sitting down and standing up and put them in zip ties and walked them,” one other scholar stated. “It is a very troublesome time for lots of people. I feel it is unlucky that it is come right down to this.” 

College students have been detained on the buses earlier than being taken to the precinct. To date, nobody has been charged with against the law, NYPD stated. 

In a letter, Columbia College President Minouche Shafik requested the NYPD to maneuver in, writing “I’ve decided that the encampment and associated disruptions pose a transparent and current hazard to the substantial functioning of the College.” 

“With nice remorse, we request the NYPD’s assist to take away these people,” she wrote.

Shafik stated all college college students collaborating within the encampment are being suspended. 

“I remorse that every one of those makes an attempt to resolve the state of affairs have been rejected by the scholars concerned. In consequence, NYPD officers are actually on campus and the method of clearing the encampment is underway,” Shafik wrote in the statement to the Columbia community. 

The scholars have been warned to depart the encampment by 9 p.m. Wednesday, Shafik wrote. 

“Columbia is dedicated to permitting members of our neighborhood to interact in political expression – inside established guidelines and with respect for the security of all,” Shafik wrote. 

Rep. Ilhan Omar’s daughter suspended

Barnard Faculty suspended three college students, together with Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, for collaborating within the protests. Hirsi stated on social media she and others on the encampment would proceed protesting till their calls for are met. 

Demonstrations started on Wednesday earlier than directors locked down campus amid dueling protests between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel teams. Police stated one individual was arrested. 

Protests intensified Thursday morning and extra arrests have been made as small pro-Palestinian demonstrations came about exterior Columbia’s campus gates.

Some demonstrators expressed discontent with how police dealt with the state of affairs.

“There was no level of ever working with the police. Like each single step of the best way, they have been escalating it,” a protester named Selena stated.

 In accordance with protesters, police began detaining them for blocking the doorway to the subway, which they stated was not the case.

“Not permitting us to train any of our rights,” Selena stated.

Protests proceed after Columbia’s president testifies

Demonstrations started when Shafik testified Wednesday on Capitol Hill, where she was accused of failing to discipline students for antisemitic rhetoric. 

“Columbia has proven time and again they do not care about college students’ rights, voices or security,” stated Aidan Parisi, a pro-Palestinian protester.

“I am scared to put on a Jewish star right here. I’ve gotten very nasty antisemitic feedback at me and I do not perceive how that is accepted,” Kim Silverman stated.

The overwhelming majority of Thursday morning’s protesters weren’t Columbia college students.

Doug Williams

Doug Williams has been reporting and anchoring within the Tri-State Space since 2013.