Police sources have revealed that nearly half of the protesters arrested during anti-Israel violence at Columbia University and City College campuses were not students, with 134 of the 282 arrestees having no affiliation with either school. Mayor Eric Adams has attributed the chaos to “outside agitators” who have a history of fueling non-peaceful protests, with more than 40% of initial arrests being individuals from outside the schools. Adams emphasized that professionals were influencing young people and radicalizing them, leading to the violence seen on the campuses.
Adams’ statements came after a massive NYPD operation on Tuesday to remove protesters who had taken over the Hamilton Hall academic building at Columbia. The mayor insisted that there were individuals on the campus who should not have been there, pointing to evidence of training and professional influence in the unrest. Among the non-students arrested was Fernando Bobis, a 42-year-old doctor and Brown University graduate who complained about his treatment in custody, including being denied water and access to a bathroom, despite being a Type 1 diabetic.
Other non-student arrestees included known anti-Israel protester Jesse Pape, James Carlson, Nora Fayad, and Amelia Fuller, who were all involved in previous protests and charged with offenses such as trespass, criminal mischief, and burglary. Former President Donald Trump also weighed in on the situation, echoing Adams’ concerns about radical influences on students. He called for action to stop the violence and prevent radical left individuals from taking over the country, emphasizing the need to address the growing problem of radicalization among young people.
The arrests at Columbia and City College highlighted the presence of individuals from outside the schools who were involved in the anti-Israel protests. Mayor Adams and other officials have raised concerns about the influence of professionals in radicalizing students and inciting violence on campuses. The crackdown on protesters and the subsequent arrests have brought attention to the ongoing challenges of managing public demonstrations and preventing outside forces from causing disruptions and unrest in educational settings.
The fallout from the arrests, including complaints from individuals like Fernando Bobis about their treatment while in custody, has added to the complexity of the situation. The involvement of known protesters with histories of causing disruptions and clashes with law enforcement has raised questions about the motives behind the anti-Israel protests at Columbia and City College. As the city and university officials work to address the aftermath of the violent unrest, the focus remains on safeguarding students and preventing external influences from escalating tensions and conflicts on campus.
