The protesters occupying Hamilton Hall at Columbia University were well-prepared for their sit-in, with supplies like a microwave, sleeping bags, and a chart listing dietary restrictions. They were part of a larger group demonstrating in support of Palestine and demanding that universities divest from Israel. The takeover of Hamilton Hall marked a new level of escalation as the university decided to call in the police to clear the building. Mayor Eric Adams and police officials justified the arrests by claiming that many of the protesters were “outside agitators.”
After the arrests, it was revealed that a significant percentage of those arrested at Columbia were not affiliated with the school. Contrary to initial claims by city officials, data showed that only about 29% of the 112 people arrested were not affiliated with the university. The police response to the situation involved deploying a BearCat truck equipped with an extendable ramp to bypass barricades and enter the building. Once inside, officers faced resistance from some of the students and made use of distraction devices to disorient them.
Protesters and independent journalists documented instances of police aggression during the arrests. Videos showed officers pushing and dragging demonstrators, as well as using force to remove them from the area. Some protesters accused the university, police, and Mayor Adams of trying to downplay instances of police brutality that occurred on campus. While city officials claimed there were no injuries or violent clashes, reports of aggressive police tactics raised concerns among the student body and community.
In response to the incident, Columbia announced that all final exams and academic activities on the campus would be fully remote for the rest of the semester. The school’s leadership team, including the board of trustees, had been in crisis mode, consulting with security experts and law enforcement throughout the night and early morning. The decision to involve the NYPD in clearing the campus was made, and a swift police response was executed.
The occupation of Hamilton Hall and subsequent police intervention highlighted the tension and unrest on college campuses regarding issues like divestment from Israel and support for Palestine. The incident brought attention to the presence of both students and non-affiliated individuals in the protests. Despite the disruptions and arrests, the community at Columbia was called upon to come together and heal from the events that unfolded on their campus. The situation raised questions about the balance between protecting academic activities and upholding the right to protest and free expression.
