On Monday, pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Columbia University did not disperse despite a deadline set by the university. Columbia had warned students they would face suspension if they did not leave the protest encampment by 2 p.m. The campus was crowded with media and protesters, with about 60 people remaining in the encampment with nearly 80 tents. Faculty and staff members were also present to support the students’ right to protest and ensure their safety.
One adjunct professor, Elga Castro, stood with others to protect the students, stating that she was there to support her students’ ability to protest rather than to push her own views on Gaza and Palestine. A student, Frances Anderson, found the protests inspiring but chose not to participate due to what she perceived as a hostile atmosphere that was contrary to the message of peace. The confusion surrounding potential consequences for faculty involved in the protest added to the uncertainty of the situation.
University administrators received a letter from 21 members of Congress expressing frustration that the encampment had not been taken down. The disruption on campus was affecting students’ ability to attend classes and access campus facilities, prompting the call for the encampment to be dismantled. Negotiations between protest leaders and administrators had reached an impasse, prompting the university’s notice to students to voluntarily leave to prepare for graduation ceremonies.
Students were given the option to sign a form promising not to break university rules in exchange for not facing punishment for participating in the encampment. Those already facing discipline for previous violations may not be eligible for the same deal. The notice also warned students that they could still be held accountable for discrimination and harassment charges related to their involvement in the protest. Despite the threat of consequences, it was unclear how the university would enforce clearing the encampment without involving the Police Department.
Columbia’s president, Nemat Shafik, stated in a notice that calling in the Police Department would be counterproductive and would further escalate tensions on campus. Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student and lead negotiator for Columbia University Apartheid Divest, referred to the deadline as an intimidation tactic by the university and emphasized the need to continue the protest to support divesting from war. Students in the encampment gathered to vote on whether to continue despite the threat, with concerns about the situation in Gaza and their disciplinary charges.
The protest at Columbia University highlighted the tension between student activism and university administration, with students advocating for divestment from war and expressing solidarity with Palestine. The uncertainty surrounding the enforcement of the university deadline added to the intensity of the situation, with both students and faculty members navigating the potential consequences of their involvement in the protest. The ongoing protests and negotiations reflected a larger conversation about free speech, protest rights, and activism on college campuses.
