2 weeks ago
14
In a significant escalation of campus tensions, New York City police officers entered
Columbia University
late Tuesday and arrested pro-Palestinian protesters. The law enforcement action came in response to a prolonged occupation by students who had taken over
Hamilton Hall
and maintained a tent encampment for nearly two weeks. This police intervention follows a direct call from Mayor Eric Adams earlier in the day, declaring that the ongoing protest "must end now."
Live television footage captured the dramatic scene as helmeted officers in tactical gear stormed the prestigious Ivy League campus in upper Manhattan.
Officers were seen entering Hamilton Hall, where protesters had barricaded themselves, using ladders to access upper floors while others dismantled the nearby encampment amid jeers and chants of "Shame, shame!" from onlooking students.
Here is all you need to know about these protests:
What initiated the police action at Columbia University?
The NYPD intervened at Columbia University after protesters occupied Hamilton Hall and set up a tent encampment on the campus. The university administration had authorized police action following an escalation in protest activities, including breaking windows and seizing control of the building, which had been renamed "Hind's Hall" by demonstrators in memory of a Palestinian child killed in Gaza.
Where did the protests take place and how widespread were they?
The protests occurred at Columbia University in upper Manhattan, New York. However, similar demonstrations have spread across various US universities from California to Massachusetts, indicating a nationwide movement among students opposing Israel's actions in Gaza and demanding university divestments from companies they claim are profiting from the conflict.
Why were the students protesting, and what are their demands?
The student protesters are calling for Columbia University and other institutions to divest from companies involved in the Israeli military operations in Gaza. Their occupation and demonstrations are part of a broader push to protest what they see as injustices in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, aligning with wider protests across the country following Israel’s offensive in Gaza triggered by a Hamas attack on southern Israel.
What has been the reaction from authorities and the public?
Authorities, including the NYPD and university administration, have expressed concerns about safety and disruptions caused by the protests, leading to the forceful intervention to clear the protesters. Public reactions have been mixed, with some criticizing the protests as anti-Semitic while others support the students' right to advocate for Palestinian rights. Mayor Eric Adams has also hinted at involvement by "outside agitators," though this claim is disputed by protest leaders.
(With inputs from agencies)
English (US) ·