New York City police officers entered Columbia University Tuesday evening and began making arrests after pro-Palestinian protesters occupied the building early in the morning, video showed.
Several pro-Palestinian protesters were filmed occupying Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall early Tuesday morning, with activists wearing black masks breaking down the glass doors and raising an “Intifada” flag outside the building. The video footage showed what happened. Additional reports said activists took construction workers hostage during the occupation.
Video footage posted on Twitter shows officers in full riot gear entering one of Hamilton Hall’s windows in a large truck. (Related: UNC president leads police platoon to raise American flag on campus)
BREAKING: NYPD invades Hamilton Hall on Columbia University’s campus. pic.twitter.com/I7VeAf9a4O
— Breaking news (@Breaking_4_News) May 1, 2024
#breaking news Police continue to invade Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall, clearing the building and making arrests. pic.twitter.com/Qej7ZohOBR
— Olya Scooter Caster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) May 1, 2024
🚨#breaking news: Police began entering the Hamilton Hall building through a second-story window and deployed tear gas inside. According to reports, there was an unconscious student in front of Hamilton Hall. pic.twitter.com/IgoXOi6ZI6
— RAWSALETS (@rawsalerts) May 1, 2024
This was announced by a New York City Police Department official. CNN Officials said they used “distraction devices” during the raid, even though protesters claimed they used tear gas on activists.
Mass arrests were confirmed in an online video showing officers zip-cuffing activists after authorities entered, but it was unclear how many people were arrested.
#breaking news New York City police force hundreds of officers into Columbia University encampment and make mass arrests
Video by Olga Fe Desk@freedomnews.tv on Obtaining a License pic.twitter.com/YnS6v4V00p
— Olya Scooter Caster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) May 1, 2024
Shortly before Columbia University officials allowed the NYPD to enter the building, a university spokesperson said: released A statement on the school’s website said the decision was made “to restore safety and order to the community.”
“We regret that protesters chose to escalate the situation by their actions. After the university learned overnight that Hamilton Hall had been occupied, vandalized, and locked down, we have no choice,” the statement said.
“Columbia public safety personnel were removed from the building and members of our facilities team were threatened. We will not jeopardize the safety of our community or the possibility of further escalation.”
Ben Chang as Vice President of Communications warned Students who occupied the building could face expulsion, according to a Tuesday night press release announcing that students who “failed” to comply with the conditions they had laid out would be suspended. be.
In a letter, Columbia University President Nemat “Minoush” Shafiq asked police to cooperate with them to “maintain order and prevent encampments from re-establishing,” at least until May 17. Police presence is required to remain on campus until then. according to Go to NBC News.
Although Shafik has moved classes for the remainder of this semester to an online format, the school will continue with its graduation ceremony scheduled for May 15, when an estimated 15,000 students will graduate.
This is breaking news and will be updated.
