‘Wrong Approach’: White House Slams Pro-Palestinian Protesters As They Occupy Columbia University Building

The White House condemned the seizure of a Columbia University building by pro-Palestinian protesters, stating that it was not an example of peaceful protest.

A student protester parades a Palestinian flag outside the entrance to Hamilton Hall on the campus of Columbia University on April 30, 2024 in New York City. ( Image Source :Getty Images )

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the White House expressed US President Joe Biden's opposition to the occupation of a Columbia University campus building by pro-Palestinian protesters. Amid demonstrations escalating at colleges across the United States, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated during an online briefing, "The president believes that forcibly taking over a building on campus is absolutely the wrong approach. That is not an example of peaceful protest", as quoted by news agency AFP. 

The protests intensified as masked demonstrators smashed windows and occupied the Hamilton Hall building at the prestigious Ivy League university in New York, fortifying themselves inside with metal tables. Columbia University has emerged as a focal point for demonstrations across the United States in support of Gaza.

According to AFP, Kirby emphasised the necessity of peaceful demonstrations, stating, "You just got to do it peacefully. You can't hurt anybody and you can't... be disrupting the educational pursuit of your fellow students."

While "watching these these protests with concern", the White House clarified that it had no evidence of "bad actors" seeking to exploit the situation. Despite acknowledging the strong sentiments of the demonstrators, Kirby affirmed that Biden's support for Israel's offensive against Hamas in Gaza would remain unchanged.

"The president also has... a responsibility to look after our national security interests around the world and that also means making decisions in the region that support those interests," Kirby added, as quoted by AFP.

Dozens of Protesters Occupy Columbia University Building In Latest Escalation

Dozens of protesters seized control of a building at Columbia University in New York early Tuesday, escalating demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas conflict on college campuses across the nation. The protesters barricaded entrances and displayed a Palestinian flag from a window, defying the university's warning of expulsion, news agency AP reported.

The occupation at Columbia unfolded despite an earlier ultimatum to abandon a tent encampment on Monday, prompting the university to threaten suspension. As other universities intensified efforts to clear out encampments, police clashed with protesters and made numerous arrests, AP's report stated.

At Columbia's Manhattan campus, protesters gathered in front of Hamilton Hall, carrying furniture and metal barricades to the building. A banner reading "Free Palestine" hung from a window, symbolising their cause. The group "CU Apartheid Divest" declared on social media platform X that the building was reclaimed in honor of Hind Rajab, a victim of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hamilton Hall, named after Alexander Hamilton, a founding father of the United States, was occupied nearly 12 hours after the deadline for protesters to vacate the encampment.

🚨BREAKING: Columbia University students form a human chain to protect the protestors who have occupied Hamilton Hall - which has now been renamed HIND’S HALL. 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/Z41sdxwv20

— CU Apartheid Divest (@ColumbiaBDS) April 30, 2024

In response, Columbia University spokesperson Ben Chang stated, "Students occupying the building face expulsion," emphasising that protesters were given an opportunity to leave peacefully but chose escalation. “Protesters have chosen to escalate to an untenable situation — vandalizing property, breaking doors and windows, and blockading entrances — and we are following through with the consequences we outlined yesterday,” he emphasised, as quoted by AP.

New York Police Department Chief Jeffrey Maddrey stated that officers would not enter Columbia's campus without a request from the college administration or an imminent emergency.

Protesters at Columbia and other campuses have demanded divestment, financial transparency, and amnesty, indicating their resolve to continue until their demands are met.