Pro-Palestinian protesters say they were attacked with stink bomb at Columbia University

A group of pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University filed a police report claiming two students were sprayed with a powerful odor spray.

New York City police confirmed on Monday that they had been cited for assault after protesters who were affected on Friday were sprayed with a foul-smelling spray that caused nausea and headaches. The investigation is ongoing, the ministry said.

Protest groups Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace, both of which were suspended by the university in November and sparked nationwide outrage, said the spray was used by the Israeli military. He claimed that it was a chemical he had developed to exterminate swarms called “skunk.''

Protest groups said they had identified two people who sprayed protesters, claiming to be Columbia University students disguised with traditional Palestinian keffiyeh scarves.

“Dozens of students have testified that the odor lingered on their clothes and hair even after the initial odor from the protests. The odor only worsens and spreads after washing,” the group said in a statement. mentioned in. Social media posts.

“We, as students, face constant harassment, and the university should not meet its obligation to independently investigate these hate crimes,” they continued.

University Public Security Department said it was investigating Local and federal law enforcement agencies also expressed “significant concern” following Friday's report and additional reports Sunday.

Columbia Spectator review There were at least 18 reports of rotten odors during the protests, including 10 complaints of physical harm. According to The Spectator, three of the protesters sought medical attention.

New York Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the reported attack Saturday.

“The alleged use of chemicals on the grounds of a New York City college campus is beyond heinous. It compromises the principles of peaceful dialogue and dissent upheld in a democratic society. “This is an escalation of violence perpetrated against peaceful protesters by infringing individuals,” Secretary-General Afaf Nasher said in a statement.