Amidst a backdrop of heightened tensions, New York City police officers, clad in riot gear, initiated a series of arrests at Columbia University on Thursday afternoon, following a plea from school president Minouche Shafik to disband a pro-Palestinian encampment.
Expressing concern for the safety of the school community, Shafik penned a letter to the NYPD, emphasizing the encampment’s perceived threat to the campus environment.
In her correspondence, Shafik lamented the necessity of seeking assistance from law enforcement, citing the encampment’s disruptive nature.
According to reports from the Columbia Spectator, the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” witnessed the arrest of “over 100 individuals,” commencing around 1 pm.
Organized by activists advocating for divestment from companies operating in Israel, the protest also championed calls for a cease-fire in Gaza and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The clash at Columbia unfolded shortly after university leaders, including Shafik, testified before a Congressional hearing in Washington DC, highlighting concerns regarding the rise of antisemitism.
Columbia trustee Claire Shipman underscored the gravity of the situation during her testimony, acknowledging the presence of a moral crisis on the campus.
In response to inquiries from NPR, the Institute for Middle East Understanding affirmed their commitment to ongoing protests at the university.
In a statement released via Columbia University’s official channels, Shafik characterized the decision to enlist police assistance as an extraordinary measure warranted by the prevailing circumstances.
Meanwhile, the daughter of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Ohmar faced consequences for her involvement in the Columbia University protest, receiving a suspension from Barnard College on Thursday.
“Those of us in Gaza Solidarity Encampment will not be intimidated,” Isra Hirsi, age 21, wrote on social media. “We will stand resolute until our demands are met.”
