On Wednesday, tensions flared at Columbia University as masked protestors entered the main library, igniting anti-Israel demonstrations and clashing with students and security personnel.
Columbia student Eden Yadegar recounted the unsettling experience, noting that many studying for finals were caught off guard as the group surged into Butler Library.
“It was definitely shocking and, well, intimidating,” she remarked on Thursday. “But it interrupts one of the university’s fundamental activities.”
Yadegar observed that the masked protestors were chanting phrases like “The Intifada Revolution” and “From the River to the Sea,” which are commonly viewed as calls for the destruction of Israel.
A campus safety official reportedly asked the demonstrators to show their university IDs before leaving the building.
“It’s not just ridiculous; it’s astonishing to think they are actually celebrating the hostages currently held by Hamas, a terrorist group,” Yadegar expressed.
Eventually, university officials contacted the New York Police Department (NYPD), resulting in over 80 arrests.
Videos from the scene captured physical confrontations and minor injuries, while images shared from within the library showed graffiti, such as “free Gaza,” scrawled on the walls and furniture.
Sam Nahins, a Columbia graduate student and US Air Force veteran, was also present during the incident. He mentioned feeling uneasy upon recognizing individuals linked to prior protests.
“I started to see students who faced disruptions last year, ones who aren’t back yet. That’s when it hit me,” Nahins reflected in an interview.
Having served in conflict zones, Nahins indicated that the protestors’ actions didn’t represent a genuine struggle for freedom.
“These protesters aren’t freedom fighters,” he stated. “What they’re doing puts certain students at risk. It’s dangerous, plain and simple.”
In light of the situation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the government is reviewing the immigration status of those involved.
“We are examining the visa status of those who took over the Columbia library,” Rubio posted on X. “Pro-Hamas individuals are no longer welcome here.”
University representatives, including President Claire Shipman, criticized the violence, conveying strong disapproval of the disruptions.
