The recent events at Columbia University involving the occupation of Hamilton Hall by protesters have caused uproar within the community. The NYPD was called in to clear the building of protesters, and it was reported that no tear gas was used during the operation. Many students and faculty members expressed feeling betrayed and abandoned, with one Barnard student stating their disappointment in the way the situation was handled. A Columbia professor also voiced their dismay, stating that they did not expect to see this level of violence on campus.
Columbia University released a statement expressing regret that the protesters had chosen to escalate the situation. The university had previously written a letter to the NYPD asking for their intervention, indicating that they did not support the actions of the protesters. The protests at Columbia escalated as the NYPD officers entered the university through a second-floor window to clear the protesters. The situation prompted Columbia students and faculty to shelter in place as the police presence grew near the campus.
The protests at Columbia University have garnered attention from world leaders, with Israel rejecting the idea of Palestinian sovereignty as a solution. NYC Mayor also commented on the protests, stating that they had been co-opted by outside agitators. University of Minnesota students criticized the building closures amid the protests, while Jewish students expressed feeling terrified during the demonstrations. Cease-fire talks in Gaza were made more complicated as Israel vowed to move ahead with an offensive in Rafah.
As the demonstrations at Columbia University intensified, protesters occupied part of the campus, leading to a tense standoff with authorities. Video footage shows protesters lifting supplies into barricaded Hamilton Hall, while clashes were also reported at other universities such as Tulane. Columbia students attempted to block protesters from entering the building, further escalating the situation. The US made diplomatic efforts for a cease-fire deal in Gaza, while the Israeli military released videos of strikes on Hamas targets. Protesters and authorities continue to clash, with the situation remaining tense.
