James Carlson, an animal rights lawyer with no affiliation to Columbia University, was arrested for setting fire to an Israeli flag near the campus. This incident occurred during a protest at Hamilton Hall, where a group of outsiders, including Carlson, were involved in taking over the building. While some argue that outside agitators like Carlson are driving the demonstrations, others believe this narrative is used to justify violence and police brutality against non-affiliated individuals. The occupation of Hamilton Hall led to a wave of arrests, with around 30% of those charged having no ties to the university.
The involvement of outsiders like Carlson raised questions about the influence they have on the student protest movement at Columbia and nearby colleges. While some students view the actions of outsiders as detrimental to the cause, others, like Columbia senior Rory Wilson, believe that certain individuals had a significant role in planning the takeover of Hamilton Hall. Mayor Eric Adams and Columbia University President Minouche Shafik pointed out the prevalence of outsiders in the protests, leading to arrests at multiple locations.
The arrest records revealed that a significant number of those involved in the protest were not affiliated with the universities. At Columbia, roughly 29% of those arrested were unaffiliated individuals, while this number rose to 60% at the City College of New York. The involvement of outsiders in the protests led to clashes with law enforcement, resulting in minor injuries to some individuals. Despite the arrests and crackdown on the protests, many participants argued against categorizing non-affiliated individuals as “outside agitators.”
James Carlson, one of the oldest protesters arrested inside Hamilton Hall, has a history of participating in protests since the conflict in Gaza began. He was accused of setting an Israeli flag on fire near the Columbia campus and is currently facing charges of arson and criminal mischief. Carlson, a Brooklyn Law School graduate and former Humane Society litigation fellow, has a background in animal rights activism. Similarly, other individuals arrested, such as Rudy Ralph Martinez and Jacob Isaac Gabriel, have a history of protest-related arrests in different states.
The presence of individuals like Carlson and Martinez at the protests highlights the complex nature of large demonstrations, where a mix of well-meaning activists and outsiders with different motivations come together. The involvement of outsiders in the building occupations and protests led to debates among the student body at Columbia and neighboring colleges. While some students support the demonstrations as a means of bringing attention to important issues, others like Rory Wilson, who has Jewish heritage, disagreed with the methods used during the protests.
The clashes between protesters, law enforcement, and university officials shed light on the challenges of managing large-scale demonstrations involving a diverse group of individuals with varying affiliations and ideologies. The ongoing protests at Columbia and nearby colleges reflect the broader tensions surrounding issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and police brutality. While some participants believe in the effectiveness of mass protests to bring about change, others are critical of the tactics used and question the role of outsiders in influencing the direction of the movement.
