NEW YORK — Dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators had been arrested Wednesday night after occupying a part of Columbia University’s Butler Library, an escalation of campus tensions tied to the Israel-Gaza battle. The protesters, many sporting masks and kaffiyehs, breached a safety gate shortly after 3 p.m. and took over the second flooring of the library’s most important room, renaming it “the Basel Al-Araj In style University,” based on witnesses and the demonstrators’ statements.
The occupation, which disrupted college students learning for ultimate exams, gave the impression to be an try to reignite the protest motion that gripped Columbia’s campus final spring. “Free, free Palestine,” and “Free, free, free Palestine,” chanted the protesters, with some additionally shouting, “Allow them to go, allow them to go, allow them to go,” as reported by The New York Occasions. Banners had been hung within the library’s hovering most important room, and clashes with public security officers ensued.
Columbia’s appearing president, Claire Shipman, condemned the motion, stating, “Disruptions to our tutorial actions is not going to be tolerated and are violations of our guidelines and insurance policies.” She added, “Columbia strongly condemns violence on our campus, antisemitism and all types of hate and discrimination, a few of which we witnessed at the moment.” Shipman reported that two public security officers had been injured throughout a crowd surge exterior the library as some people tried to drive their manner in. A number of protesters additionally appeared to have been injured.
The New York Police Division, responding on the college’s request, moved in after 7 p.m. to clear the library, arresting greater than 70 folks, based on a legislation enforcement official cited by Bloomberg. New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams, posting on X, emphasised, “Whereas the town will at all times defend the proper to peaceable protest, it’s going to by no means tolerate lawlessness.”
The protest group, Columbia University Apartheid Divest, claimed duty for the occupation, stating on social media that it aimed to “The flood reveals that so long as Columbia funds and income from imperialist violence, the folks will proceed to disrupt Columbia’s income and legitimacy.” The motion follows months of heightened tensions at Columbia, together with the arrests of activists like Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi, and the Trump administration’s cancellation of $400 million in federal funding over allegations of antisemitism.
The college locked down the campus Wednesday, proscribing entry to college students and important employees. Columbia has confronted criticism for its dealing with of protests, with some college and college students arguing that directors have stifled free expression. A college senate report not too long ago urged that final spring’s occupation of Hamilton Corridor may have been resolved with out police intervention, highlighting ongoing debates over free speech and campus security.
Wednesday’s occasions have drawn nationwide consideration, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating he’s “reviewing the visa standing” of the protesters. The incident underscores the challenges universities face in balancing free speech, scholar security, and tutorial operations amid politically charged demonstrations.
Initially revealed on University Herald
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