New York City police arrested numerous pro-Palestinian demonstrators who had taken refuge in an academic building at Columbia University late on Tuesday, effectively ending a protest encampment that had persisted for nearly two weeks.
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik, in a letter released shortly after the police intervention, requested their presence on campus until at least May 17 to prevent the re-establishment of encampments and maintain order.
Within a span of three hours, police cleared the campus of protesters and made multiple arrests, although the exact number was not specified by the police spokesperson.
The police operation commenced around 9 p.m. ET with a significant presence of officers clad in helmets marching onto the prestigious campus in upper Manhattan. The protesters had gathered in opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza, a sentiment echoed in student rallies across numerous U.S. schools in recent days.
Police officers vocally announced their intent to clear the area as they entered Hamilton Hall, an academic building that protesters had occupied earlier in the day. They accessed the building through a second-story window, employing a police vehicle equipped with a ladder.
Outside the hall, students expressed their disapproval of the police actions, chanting slogans in support of Palestine and demanding the release of detained protesters.
Sueda Polat, one of the student negotiators for Columbia University Apartheid Divest, voiced support for the protesters and criticized the police’s approach. The demonstrators had been advocating for divestment from companies associated with Israel’s government, financial transparency from the university, and amnesty for disciplined participants.
President Shafik had previously stated Columbia’s decision not to divest from Israel financially, proposing instead investments in Gaza’s health and education sectors and increased transparency in the university’s investment holdings.
The occupation of Hamilton Hall began with protesters breaking windows, entering the building, and renaming it “Hind’s Hall” in memory of a Palestinian child killed in Gaza. The building has historical significance as a site of student occupations dating back to the 1960s.
Mayor Eric Adams and city police officials described the occupation as instigated by “outside agitators” lacking affiliation with Columbia. They cited escalating tactics, including vandalism and barricading entrances, as reasons for police intervention.
The university released a statement before the police action, highlighting disruptions on campus and the interference with academic activities due to the ongoing protests.
