Hundreds of NYPD cops dressed in riot gear have stormed Columbia University to break up pro-Palestine encampments.
Reports indicate cops flooded the Ivy League campus in New York City and made a push toward Hamilton Hall, which students violently took over early Tuesday.
The raid comes after Columbia leaders asked NYPD to come to the campus and make arrests following an escalation in the protester’s tactics.
An encampment first sprung up on April 17 after the university’s president Minouche Shafik was hauled before Congress to address anti-Semitism on campus.
Video from the college showed hundreds of cops in riot gear leading people away in zip-tied handcuffs. Student radio reported at least 20 people were arrested at Hamilton Hall.
Around 9pm, the cops stormed the university as the crowd chanted and yelled at them, some confronted the officers and pushed barricades to try and block their path.
Hundreds NYPD riot cops have stormed Columbia University’s pro-Palestine encampment
The operation came after a rogue group of protesters smashed their way into the college’s historic Hamilton Hall to stage an occupation over night
The use of police was condemned by the Columbia University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors
Video from the college showed hundreds of cops in riot gear and armed with zip-tie handcuffs and pepper spray surrounding the campus
At least 20 people were arrested at Hamilton Hall after cops broke into the university building, student radio WKCR reports
A shelter in place warning was issued to students on Morningside campus in the moments before officers descended.
In a statement, the university said the decision to call in police was, ‘made to restore safety and order to our community’.
‘We regret that protesters have chosen to escalate the situation through their actions,’ the statement read.
After the University learned overnight that Hamilton Hall had been occupied, vandalized, and blockaded, we were left with no choice.
‘Columbia public safety personnel were forced out of the building, and a member of our facilities team was threatened. We will not risk the safety of our community or the potential for further escalation.’
The occupation of Hamilton Hall was the latest escalation in the unrest which has rocked the school in recent weeks.
Activists have been camped out at the Ivy League school’s South Lawns since April 17.
Protesters have been demanding the college divest from companies with links to Israel or firms profiting from its war on Hamas.
Student linked arms as they vowed to defend the encampment ahead of any engagement with police
Students were warned non-compliance ‘may result in further discipline’ as officers clad in riot gear descended
Cops were armed with zip ties and pepper spray as they stormed the campus at around 9.3-pm on Tuesday
College officials have been battling to shut down the encampment, stating it violates university polices.
Following the occupation of Hamilton Hall, Shafik warned that those involved would face expulsion.
More than 100 activists have already been arrested at the school since the encampment began.
A first encampment was broken up by NYPD officials. But, university officials had vowed not to take similar steps for the current protest.
They gave students an ultimatum to leave, but few followed the instructions.
‘We will not leave until Columbia meets every one of our demands,’ one activist screamed from a balcony in the building after the takeover.
Officials then started to suspend students before a group raided Hamilton Hall.
‘We believe that the group that broke into and occupied the building is led by individuals who are not affiliated with the University,’ officials continued.
‘Sadly, this dangerous decision followed more than a week of what had been productive discussions with representatives of the West Lawn encampment.
Police shut down a previous encampment at Columbia and the university had vowed not to take similar measures going forward. However, an escalation in protest tactics appears to have reversed this decision. Pictured: Cops mobilize at Columbia on Tuesday
A shelter in place alert was issued for the Morningside campus just began to mobilize on Tuesday night
Protesters have been demanding the college divest from companies with links to Israel or firms profiting from its war on Hamas
‘The decision to reach out to the NYPD was in response to the actions of the protesters, not the cause they are championing. We have made it clear that the life of campus cannot be endlessly interrupted by protesters who violate the rules and the law.’
But the move was condemned by the Columbia University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, which said its members had been locked out of campus.
‘NYPD presence in our neighborhood endangers our entire community. Armed police entering our campus places students and everyone else on campus at risk,’ a statement read.
‘We hold university leadership responsible for the disastrous lapses of judgement that have gotten us to this point.’
The statement added that faculty had spent the trying to defuse the situation, but were ‘rebuffed or ignored.’
At a press conference prior to the raid, Assistant Commissioner Rebecca Weiner warned the protest had been co-opted by external agitators who were not affiliated with the university.
She stressed the occupation had the potential to spill into other campus buildings, as well as other universities across the country.
‘This is not about what’s happening overseas, it’s not about the last seven months, it’s about a very different commitment to at times violent protest activity as an occupation,’ she said.
The decision to call in police was condemned by the Columbia University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors
Members of the New York Police Department strategic response team move towards an entrance to Columbia University, Tuesday, April 30, 2024
‘They haven’t got a right to be on campus and this violates university polices and most importantly, presents a danger to students and the university and communities.
‘When we see what we saw last night, we think these tactics are a result of guidance being given to students from these external actors.’
Police confirmed those occupying Hamilton Hall could be charged with trespass and burglary, while those in the encampment could be hit with trespassing and disorderly conduct charges.
The raid at Columbia came as cops flooded other campuses in the Big Apple including City College New York.
Video taken at the campus showed protesters letting off flares near the gates to the school.
