Police arrested dozens of pro-Palestinian protestors at Columbia University on Wednesday evening after they took over a part of the school’s main library, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio threatened a crackdown on any foreign nationals who participated in the protest.
New York City police arrested dozens of Pro-Palestinian protesters on Columbia University on … More Wednesday evening after they took over part of a central library in New York.
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Key Facts
According to the Columbia Spectator, around 75 protestors were arrested from the university’s main library by the New York Police Department on Wednesday evening.
Shortly before the reported arrests, New York City Mayor Eric Adams tweeted about the NYPD entering Columbia at the “written request” of university officials to “remove individuals who are trespassing.”
The protest group, named Columbia University Apartheid Divest, announced on social media earlier on Wednesday that they had taken over a portion of Columbia University’s Butler Library and renamed it after the deceased Palestinian writer and activist Bassel al-Araj.
In a statement, Columbia University’s Acting President Claire Shipman said two Columbia Public Safety Officers sustained injuries when the protestors “attempted to force their way into the building,” and added, “These actions are outrageous.”
Shipman claimed the protestors were repeatedly asked to share identification and leave the building, but the protest group said in a statement: “We refuse to show our IDs under militarized arrest.”
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How Has The Trump Administration Reacted To The Protests?
Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on the protests on X, saying: “We are reviewing the visa status of the trespassers and vandals who took over Columbia University’s library.” He added: “Pro-Hamas thugs are no longer welcome in our great nation.” It is unclear if any of the protestors were foreign nationals, but the comments are in line with the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on student protestors.
Crucial Quote
“Columbia strongly condemns violence on our campus, antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination, some of which we witnessed today. We are resolute that calls for violence or harm have no place at our University,” the University president’s statement added.
Key Background
The protests at Columbia come amid a sweeping effort by the Trump administration to crack down on pro-Palestinian student protests at universities. The White House has moved to cut federal funding for several universities that have witnessed such protests. Other administration officials have also opened investigations into allegations of anti-semitism on campus. In a Truth Social post in March, Trump said protestors will be “imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came.” He also warned that: “American students will be permanently expelled or, depending on on the crime, arrested.” Several foreign nationals who participated in student protests have had their visas revoked by the Trump administration, including several Columbia University students. The most high profile of these cases involve, Columbia graduate student and protest leader Mahmoud Khalil, who the Trump administration is attempting to deport from the U.S. despite him being a green card holder.
Further Reading
Shipman authorizes NYPD sweep of pro-Palestinian protest in Butler Library, police in riot gear arrest over 70 (Columbia Spectator)
Dozens Of Pro-Palestinian Protestors Arrested After Occupying University Of Washington Building (Forbes)