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Business Standard
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators clash with security guards at Columbia univ
Pro-Palestinian protesters wearing masks and keffiyehs clashed with security guards Wednesday after staging a protest inside Columbia University's main library. Videos and photos shared on social media showed dozens of protesters pushing past campus security officers and racing into the building. The group then hung Palestinian flags and other banners on bookshelves in an ornate reading room. Some also appeared to have scrawled "Columbia will burn" across framed pictures. Other videos showed campus security officers barring another group of protesters from entering the library, with both sides shoving to try and force the other group aside. University officials said in a statement that the protest is so far isolated to one room in the library. They say protesters were asked for identification and ordered to disperse, but none immediately complied. "They have been told that failure to comply will result in violations of our rules and policies and possible arrest," the officials said, noting that the disruption comes as students are studying and preparing for final exams. "These disruptions of our campus and academic activities will not be tolerated. Individuals found to be in violation of University Rules and policies will face disciplinary consequences," officials added. Mayor Eric Adams said police were monitoring the situation and in communication with the university. A police department said officers were aware of the disturbance and had been stationed nearby ready to intervene if requested. Following threats by the Trump administration to its federal funding, Columbia in March announced sweeping policy changes. Among them, a ban on students wearing masks to conceal their identities and a rule that those protesting on campus must present their identification when asked. The school also said it had hired new public safety officers empowered to make arrests on campus. Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a pro-Palestinian student group, said it had occupied part of Butler Library because it believed the university profited from "imperialist violence". "Repression breeds resistance if Columbia escalates repression, the people will continue to escalate disruptions on this campus," the group wrote online.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
2 Columbia safety officers hurt as scores of pro-Palestinian protesters force way into library
May 7 (UPI) -- Two Columbia University Public Safety officers were injured and at least three people arrested Wednesday after 100 pro-Palestinian protesters forced their way into the New York City campus' library in "actions that are outrageous," the university president said. Acting University President Claire Shipman said the officers were hurt during a crowd surge. "The individuals who disrupted activities in Butler Reading Room 301 still refuse to identify themselves and leave the building," she said in a statement. Protesters started peacefully outside, the Daily News reported, but then some entered Butler Library's Reading Room 301 around 3:15 p.m. Activists wearing masks pushed through security at the entrance of the library, as shown in videos on social media. One person pulled a fire alarm inside the library. NYPD Police officers attempt to contain pro-Palestine protesters on the campus of Columbia University on Wednesday in New York City. Photo by Derek French/UPI NBC News shared video of several dozen people pushing up against New York Police Department barricades just outside the university's campus at 114th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. At least three protesters were taken out of the library by Columbia security in handcuffs. A fourth person was on a gurney and put into a Columbia ambulance. Pro-Palestine protesters are arrested by NYPD police officers on the campus of Columbia University on Wednesday in New York City. Photo by Derek French/UPI "While this is isolated to one room in the library, it is completely unacceptable that some individuals are choosing to disrupt academic activities as our students are studying and preparing for final exams," the university said in a statement. "These disruptions of our campus and academic activities will not be tolerated. Individuals found to be in violation of University Rules and policies will face disciplinary consequences." Shipman asked for assistance with NYPD to secure the building after the demonstrators refused to identify themselves and leave the building. NYPD Police officers attempt to contain pro-Palestine protesters on the campus of Columbia University on Wednesday in New York City. Photo by Derek French/UPI "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, Columbia has taken the necessary step of requesting the presence of NYPD to assist in securing the building and the safety of our community," she said. New York Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement that the NYPD was entering the campus at the "written request" of the university to remove trespassing individuals. Protesters are arrested by NYPD police officers on the campus of Columbia University on Wednesday. About 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators took over the campus' Butler Library. This has been the third takeover of a campus building this semester. Photo by Derek French/UPI NYPD officers had originally stayed off campus. "As I've said repeatedly, New York City will always defend the right to peaceful protest, but we will never tolerate lawlessness," Adams said. "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." NYPD Police officers attempt to contain pro Palestine protesters on the campus of Columbia University on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in New York City. Arrests were underway late Wednesday after about 100 pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University took over the campus' Butler Library just days before final exams. Photo by Derek French/UPI New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who was briefed on the situation, said in a statement to WABC-TV: "Everyone has the right to peacefully protest. But violence, vandalism or destruction of property are completely unacceptable." Outside the library, activists played drums, and people posted signs and stickers seeking to free Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia grad who has been detained by federal immigration authorities. NYPD Police officers attempt to contain pro Palestine protesters on the campus of Columbia University on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in New York City. Arrests were underway late Wednesday after about 100 pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University took over the campus' Butler Library just days before final exams. Photo by Derek French/UPI This has been the third takeover of a campus building this semester. "Disruptions to our academic activities will not be tolerated and are violations of our rules and policies; this is especially unacceptable while our students study and prepare for final exams," the university president said. "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. We will continue to keep our community apprised as the situation evolves. Protesters are arrested by NYPD police officers on the campus of Columbia University on Wednesday. About 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators took over the campus' Butler Library. At least three protesters were taken out of the library by Columbia security in handcuffs. A fourth person was on a gurney and put into a Columbia ambulance. Photo by Derek French/UPI In March, the Trump administration in March paused $400 million in federal funding, saying the Ivy League school did not do enough to protect Jewish students from harassment during the protests. "Once again, protesters violated many University rules and infringed on the rights of Jewish students to study for exams without being screamed at and harassed," Hillel executive director Brian Cohen posted on X. "We are grateful to the public safety officers who, at great risk to themselves, tried to stop the protesters from storming the library. The University must act quickly and decisively to discipline every student involved in today's takeover, and the local authorities must do the same for non-students involved." Protesters are arrested by NYPD police officers on the campus of Columbia University on Wednesday. About 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators took over the campus' Butler Library. Photo by Derek French/UPI Finals begin Friday.
India Today
07-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Masked anti-Israel protesters storm Columbia Library, disrupt final exams
Dozens of masked anti-Israel protesters stormed Columbia University's Butler Library on Wednesday, escalating tensions on a campus already marked by months of unrest tied to the Israel-Gaza conflict. The intrusion, which occurred as students were deep in final exam preparations, has reignited concerns over campus safety. According to the New York Post, social media footage circulating widely shows protestors forcefully pushing past a security guard at the library's entrance. The guard attempted to prevent their entry but was swiftly overpowered. Once inside, the group unfurled banners declaring the space a 'liberated zone,' with another sign invoking the name of Bassel al-Araj, a Palestinian activist killed in 2017—though his name was misspelled. BREAKING: Masked terror supporters have taken over the Columbia library while students are trying to study for finals. Columbia proves once again that they prioritize complete chaos over an education. Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) May 7, 2025 Columbia University confirmed the incident in a statement late Wednesday. 'While this is isolated to one room in the library, it is completely unacceptable that some individuals are choosing to disrupt academic activities as our students are studying and preparing for final exams,' officials said. 'These disruptions of our campus and academic activities will not be tolerated. Individuals found to be in violation of University Rules and policies will face disciplinary consequences.' The university's Public Safety team responded quickly, entering Reading Room 301 of Butler Library and asking protestors to identify themselves and vacate the premises. However, as of Wednesday night, the identities of those involved remain unknown, with all refusing to comply. NYPD drone above @Columbia University after protesters take over part of Butler Library on from Columbia: ' it is completely unacceptable that some individuals are choosing to disrupt academic activities as our students are studying and preparing for Linda Schmidt (@LSchmidtFox5) May 7, 2025 The administration has urged the campus community to avoid the immediate area around Butler Library, citing safety concerns and the need to preserve an environment conducive to academics. Columbia was the epicenter of US student demonstrations last spring, when pro-Palestinian activists erected a large encampment and temporarily seized Hamilton Hall, leading to dozens of arrests and sparking copycat actions at campuses across the country. ALSO READ: Jawan dies in Pak shelling along LoC in J&K after India's strike on terror camps In March, the Trump administration pulled the funding over what it described as the Ivy League school's failure to squelch antisemitism on campus during the Israel-Hamas war that began in October 2023. Meanwhile, Columbia University said on Tuesday that it will be laying off nearly 180 staffers in response to President Donald Trump's decision to cancel $400 million in funding over the Manhattan college's handling of student protests against the war in Gaza. Those receiving non-renewal or termination notices on Tuesday represent about 20% of the employees funded in some manner by the terminated federal grants, the university said in a statement Tuesday. 'We have had to make deliberate, considered decisions about the allocation of our financial resources,' the university said. 'Those decisions also impact our greatest resource, our people. We understand this news will be hard.'
Winnipeg Free Press
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators clash with security guards at Columbia University
NEW YORK (AP) — Pro-Palestinian protestors wearing masks and keffiyehs clashed with security guards Wednesday after staging a protest inside Columbia University's main library. Videos and photos shared on social media showed dozens of protesters pushing past campus security officers and racing into the building. The group then hung Palestinian flags and other banners on bookshelves in an ornate reading room. Some also appeared to have scrawled 'Columbia will burn' across framed pictures. Other videos showed campus security officers barring another group of protesters from entering the library, with both sides shoving to try and force the other group aside. FILE - A New York City police officer keeps watch on the campus of Columbia University in New York, Monday, May 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) University officials in a statement that the protest is so far isolated to one room in the library. They say protesters were asked for identification and ordered to disperse, but none immediately complied. 'They have been told that failure to comply will result in violations of our rules and policies and possible arrest,' officials said, noting that the disruption comes as students are studying and preparing for final exams. 'These disruptions of our campus and academic activities will not be tolerated. Individuals found to be in violation of University Rules and policies will face disciplinary consequences,' officials added. Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Sign up for The Warm-Up Mayor Eric Adams said police were monitoring the situation and in communication with the university. A police department said officers were aware of the disturbance and had been stationed nearby ready to intervene if requested. Following threats by the Trump administration to its federal funding, Columbia in March announced sweeping policy changes. Among them, a ban on students wearing masks to conceal their identities and a rule that those protesting on campus must present their identification when asked. The school also said it had hired new public safety officers empowered to make arrests on campus. Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a pro-Palestinian student group, said it had occupied part of Butler Library because it believed the university profited from 'imperialist violence.' 'Repression breeds resistance — if Columbia escalates repression, the people will continue to escalate disruptions on this campus,' the group wrote online.
