Television footage captured dozens of police officers, equipped with riot gear, entering the university grounds around 9 p.m., where they approached the heavily barricaded Hamilton Hall.This action was part of efforts to disperse protesters who had earlier in the day taken over the building, declaring it “Hind’s Hall” in memory of a Palestinian child killed in Gaza.
The situation escalated quickly as the officers, wearing helmets and carrying shields and zip ties, moved to clear the protesters who had occupied Hamilton Hall and set up barricades. Onlookers, including many students, jeered with chants of “Shame! shame!” as the scene unfolded.
Earlier in the day, Columbia University had issued a stern warning to the occupiers, threatening expulsion and severe academic sanctions. The protests, which began as a response to ongoing military actions in Gaza, had spread across the US, affecting numerous other universities.
Mayor Adams and NYPD officials had pointed to “outside agitators” as instigators of the unrest, a claim that was contested by protest leaders. Despite the tensions, the police emphasized that their intervention was a last resort to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
The demonstration at Columbia is part of a larger wave of campus protests nationwide, sparked by Israel’s offensive in Gaza following a deadly attack by Hamas militants. These protests have stirred significant debate over academic freedom, the right to protest, and the impact on campus safety.
Palestine protesters takeover Hamilton Hall; Columbia University defiant
As the academic year approaches its end, and with commencement ceremonies on the horizon, university administrators nationwide are under increasing pressure to resolve these disruptions amicably. Meanwhile, the debate over the protests’ implications for free speech and security continues to unfold both on and off campus.
The protests initially targeted the financial and institutional ties to companies involved in the conflict in Gaza, demanding divestment and greater transparency. As the demonstrations grew, they also highlighted broader issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, leading to heightened tensions and polarized opinions within the academic community and beyond.
The crackdown at Columbia marks a critical point in the ongoing campus protests, as law enforcement steps in to enforce peace and maintain order, while balancing the rights of students to engage in peaceful advocacy and protest.
(With inputs from agencies)