Police were called on Monday after Columbia University faculty and staff were seen blocking some students and members of the media from entering the school’s anti-Israel camp as thousands of people flooded the New York City campus. Ta.
Fox News Digital witnessed Columbia University economics student Avi Weinberg lead a small group of Jewish classmates into an encampment on the South Lawn.
But Columbia faculty members, wearing orange high-visibility safety vests with “faculty” and “staff” labels taped to their backs, fold their arms as they patrol who can enter. I was seen.
“Students who just slept here can also come in,” one woman told the group.
Universities crack down on anti-Israel agitators as protesters seek ‘amnesty’
A vested Columbia University faculty member controlled who was allowed into the anti-Israel encampment. (Nicholas Lanum/Fox News Digital)
The woman got into a heated argument with one of the students, claiming she knew who was sleeping in the camp and who wasn’t, and refused to let them in. The human faculty chain then turned its back on the students, who took turns calling. police.
“University policy must be followed!” Weinberg shouted. “We should all be able to go to that lawn!”
When asked why the students were not allowed on the lawn, the teacher refused to answer. Members of the crowd argued it was unfair that faculty were deciding who could and couldn’t go to the area, even though it was part of the university’s campus.
University of Southern California sparks backlash after canceling main stage graduation ceremony: “Surrender to campus terrorists”
Fox News Digital was told that outlets were not allowed inside and only student reporters had access to the gated lawn. The local ABC team and several independent reporters were also turned away. However, Fox News Digital witnessed a documentary team and Al Jazeera reporters reporting in the area. People wearing headscarves and waving Palestinian flags could be seen moving freely between the encampment and the surrounding campus lawns throughout the day.
The tent remained at the Columbia University encampment past the government’s 2 p.m. ET deadline. (Nicholas Lanum/Fox News Digital)
As police told the students they were on their way, one of the demonstrators, wearing a keffiyeh, announced that outsiders would be allowed in.
“While we are open to all students, this turf is currently being used as a threat against us, so please understand that all students who enroll are at risk of suspension and disciplinary action. We need it,” the protester said. “If you are on the lawn, you could be suspended and you will be tried at a disciplinary hearing.”
House Republicans call for tax money to be taken away from universities over anti-Semitic protests
On Monday, April 29, 2024, thousands of protesters gathered on the Columbia University campus. (Nicholas Lanum/Fox News Digital)
One of the faculty members, Reinhold Martin, a professor of architecture at Columbia University, told reporters that criticism of the anti-Israel protests was a “political attack from the right” and that the “far right” had “gotten the message.” He defended the anti-Israel protests.
When asked about the suspension threats Columbia made against campers, Martin said administrators “should be a little calm about that.”
“This is a peaceful environment…this is a form of Occupy Wall Street,” Martin said.
Click here for the FOX News app
Late Monday afternoon, Columbia University announced it had begun suspending students who participated in anti-Israel protests and failed to comply with orders to clear encampments by 2 p.m.
FOX News’ Bradford Betts contributed to this post.
