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New York Times
2 days ago
- General
- New York Times
To Bolster Columbia Inquiry, Prosecutor Likened Hamas Graffiti to Cross Burning
The Justice Department, intent on pursuing a criminal case against student protesters at Columbia University, argued that graffiti with a Hamas symbol outside the home of the school's interim president threatened her life and was comparable to a racist cross burning, newly unsealed court documents show. The documents offer new insight into a contentious fight between political appointees in the department who told the civil rights division to open the case in late February and federal judges and career prosecutors who believed the move was risky overreach. The records also underscore how determined the Trump administration was to press forward with a case judges viewed as weak. Justice Department leaders pushed for an investigation of a student group, Columbia University Apartheid Divest, but federal judges in New York rejected the administration's efforts to get a search warrant four times, in what some veteran lawyers described as an unusually prolonged disagreement between federal prosecutors and the courts. The release of the records came in response to a request from The New York Times, which first reported on the dispute and then filed a court motion to unseal the documents. The nonprofit news site The Intercept later joined. The new details come at a time of heightened security concerns for Jewish Americans. Last month, two Israeli Embassy staff members were fatally shot outside the Jewish museum in Washington. On Sunday in Boulder, Colo., a man used Molotov cocktails to attack a group of people peacefully marching in support of hostages taken by Hamas. The suspects both shouted 'Free Palestine' at the scenes, the authorities have said. Campus protests against Israel's military actions in Gaza have roiled college campuses for more than a year, particularly at Columbia. The Trump administration has promised to take on such demonstrations, saying they reflect antisemitism that must be punished. A Justice Department spokesman said Wednesday that the agency 'makes no apologies for our zealous efforts to prevent violent acts by antisemitic groups.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
New York Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
A Year Ago, Columbia Security Was Hands-Off at a Protest. Not This Time.
A year ago, when masked pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied Hamilton Hall at Columbia University, the sole public safety officer who was present left the scene after notifying her supervisor. On Wednesday, demonstrators who swarmed into the main library on campus were met with a far different response. The roughly four-hour occupation of Butler Library showed how much has changed about the way Columbia, and schools across the nation, are dealing with disruptive pro-Palestinian protests. This time, unlike during the occupation a year earlier, Columbia's public safety officers intervened aggressively, pushing some demonstrators to the ground, as they worked to keep the occupation under control and end it, video posted on social media showed. The officers blocked dozens of protesters from leaving one room at the library and locked the front doors of the imposing building with handcuffs to keep others from shoving their way in. Using powers newly granted to them, they arrested several demonstrators before the New York police arrived to finish the arrests. But it wasn't only Columbia officials who had adopted a tougher posture. The group at the heart of demonstrations during the past year, Columbia University Apartheid Divest, has grown smaller but more hard-line in its rhetoric. The university's newly assertive response satisfied many of those who were harshly critical of Columbia's management of last year's protests, including the Trump administration's antisemitism task force, which has cut more than $400 million in research funding from Columbia, citing what it called the university's failure to protect Jewish students. Columbia is negotiating with the task force in hopes of having the federal dollars restored. The task force said it was 'encouraged' by the way Claire Shipman, who has been Columbia's acting president for less than two months, handled the occupation and called in the police, a rare occurrence on the campus before city police officers were summoned to end pro-Palestinian encampments and the Hamilton Hall occupation. 'She has stepped in to lead Columbia at a critical juncture and has met the moment with fortitude and conviction,' the task force wrote . But the university's forceful response disturbed those who felt that unarmed demonstrators should not be met with aggression. Columbia University Apartheid Divest, which organized the occupation, sent out messages during the action saying that despite physical aggression by public safety officers, they had not wavered. 'We refuse to show our IDs under militarized arrest,' they wrote. 'We refuse to go down quietly.' Two public safety officers were injured in a crowd surge during the afternoon, Ms. Shipman said in a statement, praising the officers' efforts. Several protesters were also injured, student activists said. 'Suppressing peaceful protests, like sit-ins at the library aimed at ending complicity in the ongoing massacres of Palestinians, is immoral and flaunts the erosion of civil liberties in our country,' said Afaf Nasher, the executive director of CAIR-NY, a group that advocates for Muslims. The police said Thursday that they had been called in by Columbia to clear trespassers from the building and had arrested about 80 people during the operation to clear the library. It was not immediately clear how many were students, nor what charges they would face. Demonstrators vandalized the library with graffiti on walls and furniture, including slogans like 'Learn from Palestine' and 'Columbia will burn for the martyrs,' according to social media posts from alumni. Facilities workers labored through the night to repair it. The building was reopened on Thursday morning to allow students to study for final exams. In the past year, the pro-Palestinian movement at Columbia has splintered, under pressure from administrators and federal officials. Columbia University Apartheid Divest last year attracted an array of antiwar protesters to a nearly two-week-long encampment that, while disruptive, held dance classes and a Passover Seder in addition to revolutionary talks. Some Jewish students, however, said they were blocked from entering the encampment and felt threatened by the demonstrators. The group has since become more extreme in its rhetoric. Its leaders, who do not publicize their identities, now publish manifestoes supporting armed resistance by groups that the U.S. authorities consider terrorist organizations. Demonstrators renamed the library on Wednesday for Basel al-Araj, a Palestinian activist who was accused by Israel of planning a large-scale attack and was killed by Israeli forces in 2017. In contrast, the Hamilton Hall demonstrators, who were an autonomous offshoot of Columbia University Apartheid Divest, named that building after Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed in Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. Ms. Shipman, who was in Butler Library when the police arrived, wrote that she felt Wednesday's demonstrators had crossed a clear line 'between legitimate protest and actions that endanger others and disrupt the fundamental work of the university.' She said she expected that Columbia's disciplinary procedures would reflect the severity of the actions. Columbia is moving the judicial board that oversees protest discipline from the supervision of the university senate, a faculty-led body, to the provost's office. This is in part to meet a demand from the Trump administration to tighten control of discipline. The university took nearly 11 months to expel some of the students involved in the Hamilton Hall occupation, putting it in the cross-hairs of the Trump administration. Whether the judicial process will move more quickly under the provost's supervision is not clear. The stakes are also higher for international students involved in protest activity, who now risk not only suspension but possible deportation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned on social media Wednesday night that the State Department would 'review the visa status of the trespassers and vandals who took over Columbia University's library.' 'Pro-Hamas thugs are no longer welcome in our great nation,' he added. But such a step would require information sharing between the New York Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is limited by city rules. Columbia says it has also sought to protect student information from ICE. The demonstrators who took over the library Wednesday made different tactical choices from the protesters who took over Hamilton Hall. Unlike last year, when the takeover happened near midnight, the protesters this year pushed their way into a library full of hundreds of students studying, with plenty of security on hand. Security officers were able to isolate most of the protesters in Butler's soaring main reading room and asked them repeatedly to show their identification if they wanted to leave the room and avoid arrest. Most of them refused, Ms. Shipman wrote, even after professors tried to diffuse the situation. Joseph Howley, a member of the university senate who has been highly critical of Columbia's response to past protests, said that the clear implementation of a rule already on the books at Columbia requiring protesters to identify themselves when asked seemed a 'perfectly reasonable implementation of that policy.' 'There's a lot that happened last night that I'm not happy about,' he said, particularly the physical force used by security officers, 'but that seems to me to be pretty straightforward.'
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Anti-Israel protesters wearing keffiyehs and masks are locked inside library at Columbia University in stunt gone wrong
Anti-Israel protesters' stunt backfired when they stormed the main library at Columbia University on Wednesday - only to get stuck inside. Videos posted online showed dozens of people wearing keffiyehs and masks banging drums in a sprawling room at the Butler Library, renaming the library 'Basel al-Araj Popular University' after a Palestinian militant whom Israel has accused of planning a large scale attack, according to the New York Times. But when the raucous demonstrators tried to leave the library after the rally , they were blocked by security guards at the Ivy League university unless they showed a proper school identification - leading to an hours-long standoff. In one of the videos from the scene, guards could be seen telling the protesters they will be arrested for trespassing if they did not produce their school ID cards. In the end, nearly 70 demonstrators were taken into custody for trespassing, and at least one protester and two security guards were injured in the assault - which came as university officials try to appease the Trump administration to regain some of its federal funding. Columbia University Apartheid Divest - which is taking credit for the demonstration - claimed at the time that more than 100 people stormed the library. Demands: The protest was apparently organized by Columbia University Apartheid Divest, which shared its five demands online It said in a statement: 'The flood shows that as long as Columbia funds and profits from imperialist violence, the people will continue to disrupt Columbia's profits and legitimacy.' 'Repression breeds resistance - if Columbia escalates repression, the people will continue to escalate disruption on this campus,' the group warned. It said it was demanding 'full financial divestment from Zionist occupation, apartheid and genocide; an academic boycott of all compliant institutions, including the cancelation of the Tel Aviv Global Center; cops and ICE off our campus' and an end to 'Columbia's occupation of Harlem.' The group also demanded 'amnesty for all students, staff, faculty and workers targeted by Columbia University's discipline.' The scene prompted public security officials at the school to evacuate students who were not involved in the disruption from the library, the Times reported. Meanwhile, guards told the demonstrators that they would not be allowed out if they did not produce their school ID. After around two hours of protesting, a group of about seven people were allowed to leave the building - while the remainder presumably refused to show their IDs. The situation then turned more chaotic, leaving one protester injured and escaping through the back entrance of the library in a stretcher. Soon after, demonstrators in support of the protesters inside the building also began assembling outside - chanting 'no cops, no KKK, no fascist USA' as they too tried to overpower the security guards blocking their way. By around 7pm, 4 hours after the rally began, Columbia University's Acting President Claire Shipman announced she had called police to the scene. She said: 'The individuals who disrupted activities in Butler Reading Room 301 still refuse to identify themselves and leave the building.' 'Due to the number of individuals participating in the disruption inside and outside the building, a large group of people attempting to force their way into Butler Library creating a safety hazard and what we believe to be the significant presence of individuals not affiliated with the university, Columbia has taken the necessary step of requesting the presence of the NYPD to assist in securing the building and the safety of our community. 'Requesting the presence of the NYPD is not the outcome we wanted, but it was absolutely necessary to secure the safety of our community.' She concluded by saying the university '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.' Within half an hour of Shipman's announcement, demonstrators were seen being escorted out of the building, their hands restrained behind them with zip ties. Police have since confirmed they responded to a 'trespassing scene' at the Ivy League university and charges against the protesters were pending. But the chaotic scene had already attracted the attention of elected officials, with Mayor Eric Adams taking to X to condemn the demonstration. he said: 'As I've said repeatedly, New York City will always defend the right to peaceful protest, but we will never tolerate lawlessness.' 'To our Jewish New Yorkers, especially the students at Columbia who feel threatened or unsafe attending class because of these events: know that your mayor stands with you and will always work to keep you safe.' New York Gov Kathy Hochul also said she was briefed on the situation and was grateful for the public safety officials who kept students safe, according to ABC 7. 'Everyone has the right to peacefully protest. But violence, vandalism or destruction of property are completely unacceptable.' Agreement: Republican Rep Elise Stefanik agreed with his decision following the protest on Wednesday Rep Elise Stefanik went even further, writing: 'While Columbia students try to study for finals, they're being bombarded with chants for a "global intifada." 'Not a single taxpayer dollar should go to a university that allows chaos, antisemitism and civil rights violations on its campus,' she said, agreeing with President Trump's decision to revoke more than $400million in federal funding from the Ivy League school for its prior 'mishandling' of protests against Israel. In a letter on Tuesday, school officials said the funding cut resulted in 180 staff members being laid off. The letter said: 'Columbia's leadership continues discussions with the federal government in support of resuming activity on these research awards and additional other awards that have remained active, but unpaid.' 'We are working on planning for every eventuality, but the strain in the meantime, financially and on our research mission, is intense.' It now remains unclear whether Wednesday's chaos will lead the Trump administration to further revoke the school's funding. But officials with Immigration and Customs Enforcement told Fox News they were monitoring the situation - and will fingerprint everyone who was arrested to determine if they are noncitizens Those who are may then face deportation. An ICE official said: 'Time to make a point,; The State Department also warned foreign students about the consequences of breaking the law. It said: 'Foreign university students in America have been put on notice: If you break the law or support terrorism in our country, we will revoke your visa. This administration will not tolerate noncitizens causing mayhem on our college campuses.'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What to Know About the Latest Protests at Columbia
Protesters are escorted out of Columbia University's Butler Library after their arrest in New York City on May 7, 2025. Credit - Spencer Platt—Getty Images Columbia University has once again found itself at the epicenter of pro-Palestinian campus protests after an attempted takeover of its main library by demonstrators on Wednesday. New York police stepped in, arresting multiple people in relation to the protests, and officials including the mayor and governor, as well as members of the Trump Administration, have addressed the situation that continues to unfold. Here's what to know. How did the protest begin? The protests, which erupted days before exams, began at roughly around 3:15 p.m. on May 7, student newspaper the Columbia Daily Spectator reported. Some 100 protesters entered Butler Library's Reading Room 301 and hung a 'Liberated Zone' banner that resembled banners posted during the pro-Palestinian university encampments last year. Videos on social media showed the occupants, many of whom were wearing keffiyehs and masks, chanting 'Free Palestine.' Photos also appear to show that protesters scribbled messages on desks. A Substack post that appeared to be from Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a coalition of student groups supporting the Palestinian cause, said the protesters 'renamed' the library the 'Basel Al-Araj Popular University' after a Palestinian activist and writer who died in 2017. 'The flood shows that as long as Columbia funds and profits from imperialist violence, the people will continue to disrupt Columbia's profits and legitimacy,' the Substack post added, also reiterating calls for the University to divest from companies with business links to Israel. How have university authorities responded? The university issued a statement shortly after the protest broke out, saying that Columbia's Public Safety Team was responding to the 'disruption.' Individuals were asked to identify themselves and warned that failing to comply could possibly result in arrests. Video on social media shows protesters attempting to leave the room. Acting President Claire Shipman said in a follow-up statement that the university requested New York police presence to secure the Butler Library following the 'disruption' in Reading Room 301. Shipman said two of Columbia's Public Safety Officers were injured in the standoff with protesters. 'These actions are outrageous,' she said. Shipman said they sought the NYPD's help 'due to the number of individuals participating in the disruption inside and outside of the building, a large group of people attempting to force their way into Butler Library creating a safety hazard, and what we believe to be the significant presence of individuals not affiliated with the University.' How did law enforcement respond? The NYPD did not become involved until hours later. 'At the direct request of Columbia University, the NYPD is responding to an ongoing situation on campus where individuals have occupied a library and are trespassing,' the NYPD posted on X shortly after 7 p.m. The Columbia Daily Spectator reported that at around that time, NYPD officers—including members of the Strategic Response Group, entered the library. A video posted by Columbia University Apartheid Divest showed protesters chanting, 'We have nothing to lose but our chains.' Videos on social media showed NYPD escorting protesters out of the library. Some 75 people were arrested, according to the Columbia Daily Spectator, though the NYPD did not confirm the total number of arrests. What have officials said? New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement: 'New York City will always defend the right to peaceful protest, but we will never tolerate lawlessness.' The mayor also asked parents of student protesters to make clear to their children 'that breaking the law is wrong.' Adams warned those attending the demonstrations who are not Columbia students to 'exit the campus immediately, or you will be arrested. We will not tolerate hate or violence in any form in our city.' New York Governor Kathy Hochul also posted on X, saying she had been briefed on the situation at Columbia, adding: 'Everyone has the right to peacefully protest. But violence, vandalism or destruction of property are completely unacceptable.' Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X: 'We are reviewing the visa status of the trespassers and vandals who took over Columbia University's library. Pro-Hamas thugs are no longer welcome in our great nation.' The Trump Administration in recent months has pursued deportation cases against a number of participants in pro-Palestinian protests last year, including recent Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil. What is Columbia University's history with student protests? Columbia was at the heart of pro-Palestinian protests across U.S. college campuses last year, beginning with the first major pro-Palestinian campus encampment on April 17, 2024, on its Morningside campus. Protesters then barricaded the University's Hamilton Hall, and called for it to be named 'Hind's Hall' after a child who was killed during Israel's military offensive in Gaza. Historically, Columbia was the site of famous 1968 anti-Vietnam war and civil rights protests. Like in 2024, students also took over Hamilton Hall, and New York police also intervened. The 1968 protests have been the subject of archives and exhibits in recognition of how they shaped campus activism and national politics in the U.S. How has the Trump Administration and the university cracked down on protests? The university has taken a number of steps to try to prevent similar incidents from happening—after pressure from the Trump Administration. In March, Columbia said it issued a broad range of sanctions on students who took part in the 2024 protests, including 'multi-year suspensions, temporary degree revocations, and expulsions.' The same month, Columbia announced a series of counter-protest measures, including recruiting special officers authorized to make arrests, imposing restrictions on protests, limiting face mask use, and adopting a formal definition of antisemitism that holds students accountable for a broad range of acts deemed discriminatory to Israel. The measures came after the Trump Administration announced the cancellation of some $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia. Many of the university's new policies have been seen by some critics as kowtowing to the Trump Administration. Contact us at letters@
Forbes
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
Rubio Threatens Visa Revocations After Pro-Palestinian Protests At Columbia
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. Anadolu via Getty Images 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.' Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts : We're launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day's headlines. Text 'Alerts' to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here . 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.
