Columbia University was forced to close its campus indefinitely after an anti-Israel mob invaded the university’s buildings early Tuesday morning.
In a statement hours after anti-Israel agitators stormed the iconic Hamilton Hall on its Manhattan campus and barricaded the doors, the university said it would remain closed “as conditions permit.”
“Effective immediately, access to the Morningside campus will be limited to students residing in on-campus residential buildings (Carman, Fernald, John Jay, Hartley, Wallach, East Campus, and Vienna) and those living in campus buildings, laboratories, “Employees who provide essential services to housing and student life (e.g., dining, public safety, building maintenance staff, etc.) will be restricted to employees who provide essential services to housing and will have no additional access to the Morningside campus,” the university’s statement said. .
It added: “This access restriction will continue until the situation allows.”
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On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, Columbia University students broke into Hamilton Hall. (Getty Images/Alex Kent)
In a post, the university said student safety remains its “top priority” and thanked the community for “understanding” the current crisis.
“The safety of all members of this community is our top priority. Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and understanding,” the statement said.
Anti-Semitic riots reach boiling point in Colombia, with agitators occupying university buildings and barricaded doors
Members of an anti-Israel mob invaded Hamilton Hall early Tuesday morning. (Alex Kent/Getty Images)
The agitators speak critically of Israel and Jews and express support for Hamas and the Palestinians in Gaza. (Selcuk Achar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The university also clarified that there will be only one access point on campus. Officers continue to check students’ photo IDs to allow access.
“The only access points in and out of campus are at 116th Street and Amsterdam Gate. All other campus entrances are closed. For individuals requiring disabled access to Vienna Hall and East Campus. A security guard will be stationed at Vienna Gate,” the statement added.
Anti-Israel mob rebrands iconic Hamilton Hall after riots in Colombia
The lockdown began when an unruly mob of anti-Israel protesters stormed Hamilton Hall shortly before 1 a.m.
Students chanting pro-Palestinian slogans at Columbia University blocked the entrance to the iconic Hamilton Hall building. (Alex Kent/Getty Images)
Columbia University initially acknowledged the widespread outbreak and urged students, faculty and staff to avoid traveling to campus.
“Early this morning, a group of protesters [sic] “In light of the protests on campus, members of the university community who are able to avoid coming to the Morningside campus today (Tuesday, April 30) should do so,” the school said. Essential personnel must report to work in accordance with University policy. If you have any questions, please check with your manager. Please note that access to campus and other campus buildings may be restricted. ”
It added: “We will provide further information if there are any further changes to access to campus today.”
Columbia University President Minoush Shafiq called on law enforcement to clear the “Gaza Solidarity encampment” after negotiations with the agitators failed. (Alex Kent/Getty Images)
Once inside Hamilton Hall, the rioters began “moving the metal gates, barricading the doors, blocking the entrance with wooden tables and chairs, and zip-tapping the doors,” according to the student newspaper Columbia Spectator. It is said that
Footage of the uprising showed protesters in New York breaking windows, unfurling Palestinian flags and shouting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “Palestine will live forever.”
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Outside Hamilton Hall, anti-Israel rebels linked arms and formed a human barricade, vowing to remain until the university met their three demands.
Students are calling on universities to strip funding to Israel, increase transparency in investments, and grant full amnesty to protesting students if they face consequences.
