NEW YORK, NY – Columbia University protesters faced arrest late Tuesday night after the university president called on the NYPD to clear them from campus.
A significant police presence surrounded the university before officers began their operation around 9 p.m. Officers utilized a large vehicle with an extendable ramp to access the second floor of Hamilton Hall, where protesters had occupied. By 9:30 p.m., officers in helmets began entering the building through a window they had opened, while additional officers entered the campus through the main gate.
While police used flash bangs to disorient the protesters, no tear gas was reported to be used during the operation. Columbia’s student radio station was broadcasting live as officers proceeded with the operation.
Protesters had barricaded the halls with furniture, including soda machines and chairs. The NYPD released footage showing officers clearing chairs from a stairwell and prying open a door inside the building.
Multiple arrests were made, and three encampments were dismantled during the operation. Buses filled with protesters were seen leaving the campus as police continued their efforts.
The decision to involve law enforcement came after days of escalating tensions between the university and protesters calling for divestment from companies doing business with Israel. The university president requested NYPD assistance after determining that the protests posed a danger to the university’s operations and safety.
The demonstrations at Columbia University are part of a larger trend of pro-Palestinian protests happening across the country. At City College in New York, similar clashes between protesters and police have led to classes being moved online as a safety precaution.
The situation at Columbia University raises questions about the balance between protesters’ rights and maintaining safety and order on campus. The actions taken by both protesters and law enforcement will have lasting effects on the university community.
As tensions continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how the university will address the aftermath of the protests and what measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. The outcome of these events may have implications for how universities handle student activism and protests moving forward.