The New York City Police Department’s patrol chief told Fox News on Wednesday that detectives have identified an outside “intruder” on the Columbia University campus that many believe is responsible for the violent turn of the protests. , said they are investigating the details further.
After a group of protesters entered Hamilton Hall, police engaged in an operation late Tuesday to detain people who had voluntarily barricaded themselves inside.
On Wednesday, Commissioner John Chell acknowledged comments made by New York Democratic Mayor Eric Adams announcing the presence of “an organization that is not part of the campus” and a subsequent “change in tactics,” including the destruction of property and surveillance camera equipment. Ta.
“He’s absolutely right. There are intruders on that campus,” Chell said.your world“Another top NYPD official, Deputy Public Affairs Officer Tariq Shepard, brought a giant chain and bike lock to the MSNBC set to demonstrate the escalation in tactics police face when entering Hamilton Hall through the upper windows. It was only a few hours later.
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On April 30, 2024, in New York City, New York City police officers in riot gear enter a Columbia University building where pro-Palestinian students have barricaded themselves inside the building and set up an encampment. invade. (Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images)
”[O]There is no doubt because our intelligence knows their names, we know what they are doing and how they act,” Chell said.
He said that as the suspects were arrested late Tuesday in Morningside Heights, police officers were trying to figure out who was a Columbia University student and who was not, and what the outside agitators characterized as “non-student levels.” He explained that it is necessary to distinguish between
“There is no doubt that there are instigators who are having an influence.” [and] “It’s radicalizing some of these kids,” he said, citing escalating tactics that also included dismantling cameras and barricading doors.
A video played during Chell’s interview in this regard showed the caption “professional protester” Lisa Fitian among the demonstrators gathered on campus.
Regarding the idea that police had to wait for Columbia University administrators to give them the green light to enter the private campus, Chell said the NYPD goes wherever crimes are being committed, but police clarified that it is still customary to seek a written request for action from the university. leadership.
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On April 30, 2024, New York City Police Department officers arrest pro-Palestinian protesters who had barricaded themselves in the iconic Hamilton Hall building in New York City after entering the Columbia University building. The building was cleared of demonstrators approximately two hours after the operation ended. According to reports, riots broke out and more than 100 people were arrested. (Selcuk Achar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Chell added that police were faced with a dueling disturbance situation Tuesday night, as the chaos at Columbia University was quickly followed by similar disturbances at City College, about 20 blocks off Broadway from the Ivy League school. Ta.
“Our officers did a great job. We did a great job last night. The plan worked. I think we showed the country and the city what the NYPD is capable of,” he said.
He added that there have been approximately 2,400 protests in New York City since the October 7 Hamas massacre in Israel.
He said the NYPD aims to remain professional but politically neutral: “We are firm but fair.”
So far, 282 people have been charged in Tuesday’s simultaneous riots at Columbia University and City College, Chell said. Most of the charges so far are for trespassing, while other charges include theft and criminal mischief.
Two people sustained minor injuries during the surgery. It is unclear whether these individuals are law enforcement, protesters or civilians.
