Police clear occupied Columbia University building, arrest protesters

Post by : Elena Malik

For over two weeks, protesters had been camping on the grounds of Columbia University, a prestigious Ivy League school in New York City. The protests were part of a larger movement against Israel's actions in Gaza. On Tuesday, tensions escalated when pro-Palestine student protesters occupied Hamilton Hall, a building on the campus. They barricaded themselves inside and displayed a banner reading "Hind's Hall," in honor of a 6-year-old Palestinian child killed by the Israeli military.

In response, scores of New York police officers, equipped with tactical gear and helmets, entered the campus on Wednesday. They moved swiftly to clear the occupied building and arrest protesters. Over 50 individuals were detained during the operation.

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The police action came after university campuses across the United States witnessed widespread protests against Israel's military operations in Gaza. These demonstrations often resulted in arrests as students voiced their opposition to the violence and called for solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Prior to the police intervention, New York Mayor Eric Adams condemned the takeover of Hamilton Hall, attributing it to "outside agitators" who turned peaceful protests into a violent spectacle. He emphasized the need to swiftly address the situation to prevent further escalation.

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik requested assistance from the New York police to clear all individuals from Hamilton Hall and dismantle any encampments on campus. The university administration sought to restore order and ensure the safety of students and faculty.

The White House expressed concern over the use of force to disperse the protests, emphasizing the importance of freedom of expression while condemning any form of anti-Semitism. Meanwhile, the United Nations' human rights chief echoed similar sentiments, urging respect for peaceful assembly and rejection of incitement to violence or hatred.

Despite failed negotiations between the protesting students and university officials, the demonstrations continued. The protesters demanded that Columbia University divest all financial holdings linked to Israel, a demand that the university administration rejected.

Amidst the ongoing protests, allegations of anti-Semitic actions emerged, with the university claiming that several Jewish students had felt threatened and left the campus. The protest organizers denied these accusations, stating that their actions were aimed at condemning the actions of the Israeli government rather than targeting individuals based on their religion or ethnicity.

The situation at Columbia University highlighted broader debates surrounding freedom of expression, campus activism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As tensions persisted, both sides remained entrenched in their positions, with protesters vowing to continue their efforts until their demands were met and university officials emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution.

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