In a significant escalation of activism, New York police apprehended more than 70 pro-Palestinian protesters on Wednesday after they occupied a section of Columbia University’s Butler Library. The protest resulted in injuries to two university security officers, prompting a stern response from the university’s president, who deemed the activists’ actions “outrageous.” Video footage circulating on social media captured the moment when a group of protesters, many adorned with keffiyeh headscarves and masks, entered the library, overtly challenging a ban implemented by the Trump administration following widespread demonstrations on campus last year.
Details of the protest and police response
Following the incident, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the visa statuses of those involved in the protest would be scrutinized. While no formal charges have been filed yet, the arrests have raised questions about the legal status of the individuals detained and whether they are in the country on valid visas.
In a statement shared online, the protesters accused the university of “violent repression” and refused to provide identification to police and campus safety officials. Rubio characterized the group as “trespassers and vandals,” echoing sentiments from the Trump administration regarding the crackdown on pro-Palestinian sentiments on campuses. He stated, “pro-Hamas thugs are no longer welcome in our great nation,” aligning with the administration’s recent initiatives aimed at revoking international student visas and threatening deportations.
University’s response and implications for funding
The protest culminated in reports of vandalism, with activists writing “free Palestine” on bookshelves within the library. Footage also showed public safety officers blocking exits and demanding that individuals present their Columbia IDs or face arrest, which led to a prolonged standoff. Claire Shipman, the president of Columbia University, confirmed that she had requested assistance from the New York Police Department (NYPD) to address the situation, emphasizing that many protesters were not affiliated with the university.
Shipman expressed dismay over the disruption of academic activities, particularly as students prepare for final exams, stating, “It is completely unacceptable that some individuals are choosing to disrupt academic activities.” She urged students to avoid the library during the ongoing confrontation. In response to the incident, New York City Mayor Eric Adams remarked, “We will not tolerate hate or violence in any form in our city.” This situation marks the first instance of Columbia University involving the NYPD in an on-campus protest since April 2024.
Columbia University has found itself at the center of criticism from the Trump administration, which has accused the institution of permitting antisemitic behavior and harassment directed at Jewish students. The administration has previously threatened to withhold approximately $400 million in federal funding to Columbia if it does not comply with its demands to address antisemitism. In March, the university acquiesced to several demands set forth by the administration, including a ban on face masks at protests and changes in oversight for certain academic programs.
The long-term implications for Columbia’s funding remain uncertain, especially as faculty members have filed a lawsuit challenging the federal funding cuts. Columbia previously served as a focal point for protests against the Gaza conflict and US support for Israel. However, it is not alone in facing scrutiny, as over 60 universities have been warned that funding may be revoked unless allegations of antisemitism are adequately addressed.
Pro-Palestinian activism appears to be resurging across US college campuses, coinciding with graduation season, as evidenced by a recent incident at the University of Washington where over two dozen protesters were arrested for occupying an engineering building.