NYPD Detains Protesters at Columbia University Library

On Wednesday, the New York Police Department apprehended numerous protesters who were allegedly occupying Columbia University’s Butler Library, located on the Morningside Heights campus.

The New York Post reported that during a protest that lasted nearly five hours, two school safety officers sustained injuries. Videos appeared to show an anti-Israeli crowd pushing past security and entering the library, which disrupted students preparing for their finals.

Protesters, wearing masks, shouted “Free and Free Palestine” and displayed signs throughout the library, branding it as “an open zone.” They also spray-painted the walls and hung the Palestinian flag.

A glass case exhibited a message saying, “Colombia burns martyrs,” which sparked further outrage on social media.

Acting Columbia President Claire Shipman indicated that some of the demonstrators likely had no affiliation with the university. In a statement, Shipman mentioned, “Those causing disruptions in Butler Reading Room 301 have refused to identify themselves or leave the premises. Given the number of individuals involved, we are concerned about the safety of our community.”

Shipman deemed the situation “unacceptable.”

Responding to the protest, New York Mayor Eric Adams stated that the NYPD had entered the campus at the university’s request to remove trespassers. “We do not tolerate hatred or violence of any form in our city,” he added. Adams assured Jewish New Yorkers, particularly students at Columbia, that he would work to ensure their safety.

The NYPD reported that around 80 people were detained during the incident, but no charges had been filed against them by Thursday morning.

Columbia University later issued a statement indicating that Butler Library had reopened to students.

Mark Trager from the Council on Jewish Community Relations criticized the protest, describing it as highly unsafe and unacceptable, particularly involving masked individuals in educational settings.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced intentions to investigate the visa status of the protesters, stating, “Pro-Hamas thugs are no longer welcome in our great country.” House Speaker Mike Johnson supported Rubio’s stance, declaring that the nation would not accept anti-Semitic violence and destruction.

In Trump’s first 100 days of a second term, it was noted that around 4,000 student visas were revoked, many associated with serious criminal backgrounds.