On Tuesday night, the NYPD made a move to clear out protesters from Columbia University. This action followed a stern warning from Mayor Eric Adams for protesters to vacate the area. The protesters, who were in support of Palestine, had occupied a building earlier in the day, leading the university to threaten them with expulsion.
Amid the increased police presence, Columbia University advised students at the Morningside Heights campus to stay indoors for their safety and to avoid the area until further notice.
Mayor Adams expressed concern about “external actors” trying to hijack the protests and urged remaining protesters to cease their involvement and pursue advocacy through alternative means. He emphasized the need to prevent peaceful gatherings from turning into violent spectacles.
Tensions heightened on campus as students barricaded themselves inside Hamilton Hall, while administrators locked down the campus gates, allowing only essential personnel and students access.
Columbia University’s Vice President of Communications, Ben Chang, emphasized that the number of protesters was small compared to the overall student body, which numbers around 37,000.
Mayor Adams and Police Commissioner Edward Caban both criticized the involvement of “professional outside agitators” in escalating the protests, which they claimed endangered public safety.
The NYPD cited escalating tactics by the protesters, including the takeover of buildings, damage to property, and reports of physical altercations.
The university announced disciplinary actions against protesters, including potential expulsion for those occupying Hamilton Hall and suspension for those in the encampments outside.
Protesters demanded divestment, financial transparency, and amnesty from the university. Some student negotiators vowed to continue protesting until their demands were met.
In response to the unrest, some members of Congress wrote to Columbia’s Board of Trustees expressing disappointment and urging the university to take decisive action to disband the encampment.
Columbia University issued a statement regretting the escalation of the situation and announced consequences for protesters, including expulsion and suspension.
Access to the campus was restricted to residential students and essential employees following the occupation of Hamilton Hall.
