NEW YORK — A large protest at Columbia University on Wednesday disrupted operations at Butler Library, echoing a wave of nationwide demonstrations over the institution’s connections to Israel. The protest, organized by Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), highlighted ongoing tensions surrounding issues of justice and human rights in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Columbia University acknowledged the disturbance early in the afternoon, stating that its public safety team was addressing a situation in reading room 301. As the protest escalated, university officials noted that they requested assistance from the New York Police Department hours into the situation, which had begun to draw attention on social media.
Witnesses reported that around 60 protesters, some restrained with zip ties, were escorted from the library by police after refusing to identify themselves or leave the premises. Video footage from the scene captured moments of tension as demonstrators attempted to breach blocked exits, chanting slogans reflecting their demands and frustrations.
University officials indicated that repeated requests for identification from those involved went unheeded, leading them to declare the situation a safety concern. “A large group forced their way toward Butler Library, putting the community at risk,” Columbia’s statement read, emphasizing the need for police intervention to protect both the institution and its students.
The demonstration unfolded just days after Israel’s security cabinet approved a military plan concerning Gaza, reigniting fervent reactions across the globe. CUAD’s social media posts framed the protest as part of a broader resistance against what they termed imperialist violence, insisting that such disruptions would persist until the university divested its financial ties to Israel.
In addition to chanting pro-Palestinian slogans, protesters also made their presence felt through graffiti, inscribing messages on library tables and glass cases. Outside, smaller groups of masked demonstrators continued their vocal expressions of dissent across the campus.
Columbia University has previously stood firm against calls to sever its ties with Israel, most notably after pro-Palestinian protests last spring. Recent communications from the administration reiterated that disruptions of academic activities would not be tolerated, particularly as students prepare for final exams.
As the fallout from the protest continues, the university’s response emphasizes its commitment to maintaining a safe learning environment amidst complex geopolitical dynamics. While CUAD has openly criticized past university leadership, even labeling a former president a “Nazi sympathizer,” the administration upholds that ensuring safety and order is paramount.
Amid these developments, student activists are navigating a landscape marked by heightened scrutiny, regulatory threats from federal authorities regarding antisemitism, and a sense of urgency that permeates their calls for action. The events at Columbia University reflect a critical moment of intersection between activism, academia, and policy, as voices both for and against the protest echo throughout the campus and beyond.