Police officers, equipped with zip ties and riot shields, late on Tuesday entered the building at Columbia University occupied by pro-Palestinian protesters amid Israel's war in Gaza. The protesters had taken control of Hamilton Hall more than 20 hours prior, marking a major escalation in demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas conflict spreading across college campuses nationwide.
According to news agency AP, Columbia University in a statement said that law enforcement personnel were called after the university learned of the occupation, vandalism, and blockading of Hamilton Hall. The police were called as a response to the actions of the protesters rather than their cause, it said. The university also stressed the need to maintain campus order and uphold the law.
The arrests at Columbia came amid efforts by universities nationwide to quell similar protests. Police crackdown on various campuses led to confrontations and over 1,000 arrests. While some universities managed to stop disruptions to campus life and upcoming events, Columbia University's response was marked by a police intervention.
Criticism of the university's decision to involve law enforcement surfaced, with some students opposing the escalation of tensions. Former US President Donald Trump weighed in on the situation during an appearance on Fox News, offering support for the police response while suggesting it should have been done sooner.
In a letter to senior NYPD officials, Columbia President Minouche Shafik expressed regret over the necessity of involving law enforcement and echoed assertions that the occupation was led by outsiders and people not affiliated with the university, a claim disputed by protest organisers, reported AP.
The involvement of police at Columbia was similar to incidents at other universities, including California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, where protesters occupied buildings until law enforcement intervened. President Joe Biden's administration condemned such actions, viewing them as contrary to peaceful protest, as colleges across the country sought to navigate tense situations amidst ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.