Protest at Columbia University in the US ended with a large police presence

NOS News•today, 09:05

In New York, dozens of protesters were arrested by police after occupying a building on the Columbia University campus.

Students had barricaded Hamilton Hall, where the board is located, as part of a pro-Palestinian protest. By breaking a window, the students were able to open the doors of the building. Doors were blocked with chairs and tables and dozens of other students remained outside to maintain the occupation.

The university board said it had no choice but to call in the police. “We have made it clear that life on campus cannot be disrupted indefinitely by protesters who violate rules and laws,” the board said in a statement.

A large police force then entered the campus of Columbia University in full uniform. Dozens of students have been arrested and taken away on buses. The board has indicated that police will remain on campus at least until May 17.

The officers entered the building through a window on the first floor:

New York police arrest dozens of pro-Palestinian activists

Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place at universities in the United States for some time now. About two weeks ago, an entire tent camp was set up at Columbia University. The students are demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and strongly criticize President Biden’s administration.

They also want the universities to cut their ties with companies that have connections to Israel, including arms suppliers. President Biden said through his spokesperson that occupying an academic building is “absolutely the wrong approach” and “is not an example of a peaceful protest.”

The protest at Columbia University turned out to be the starting signal for a much larger and more widely supported protest in the United States against the war in Gaza, including among teachers. The protests spread to universities from New York to California.

What started as a peaceful protest with dozens of students is slowly turning into larger and grimmer protests. According to some, the actions of the police add fuel to the fire.