After nearly two weeks of unrest at Columbia University, administrators changed course and arrested hundreds of anti-Israel agitators on campus. These agitators, among other demonstrations, occupied an academic facility, threw away the American flag there, and raised a Palestinian flag in its place.
The mass arrests come as New York schools borrowed from President Biden’s playbook, telling students not to pitch tents on campus, to assemble peacefully, to reach agreements to clear encampments, and to stop demonstrating. This was done after instructions were given to de-escalate the situation.
The students rebelled against all those orders.
On Wednesday, the school reversed course and took action against people shouting anti-Semitic slogans after NYPD officers made 300 arrests. Former President Trump has repeatedly called on universities to invite law enforcement and have police officers perform their duties.
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Student protesters gather for a protest inside an encampment on the Columbia University campus on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. Gaza war protesters camped out at Columbia University ignored a deadline to disperse by chanting, clapping, and beating drums. (AP Photo/Stephen Jeremiah)
The transition to restore law and order to campus came as students repeatedly crossed red lines drawn by university administrators.
tell protesters to stop
On April 18, students pitched several tents in the center of campus and formed a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” on the academic lawn. The university responded quickly.
“This morning I had to make a decision that I wish I didn’t have to make. The safety of our community is always my top priority and I want everyone to be in a cooperative situation.” We’ve always said we need to maintain an environment conducive to learning,” Columbia University President Minoush Shafik said on April 18.
Anti-Israel agitators gather on the Columbia University campus on Monday, April 22, 2024, in New York City. (Peter Garber)
She added: “I took this unusual step because this is an unusual situation. The individuals who set up the encampment violated a long list of rules and policies.”
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Police subsequently arrested more than 100 instigators.
Police arrested more than 100 instigators at Columbia University on April 18, 2024. (Peter Garber)
The university then appeared to back off and agreed to negotiate with the protesters.
draw a red line
Days later, the unrest continued, and President Shafiq announced on Monday, April 22, that virtually all classes would be moved to “allay the hatred” on campus.
“I am deeply saddened by what is happening on our campus,” Shafik said. “Let’s sit down and talk, debate, compromise and find a way to find a solution.”
“In the coming days, a working group of deans, university administrators, and faculty will work to resolve this crisis,” she added RTF56N at the time. “That includes continuing our conversations with student movement participants to identify actions we can take as a community to end our term peacefully and return to respectful engagement.”
Anti-Israel demonstrators occupy Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall in New York, USA. (Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“I hope everyone can take a deep breath, show compassion, and work together to rebuild the bonds that unite us,” she also said.
On April 23, the university’s president gave the agitators a midnight deadline to reach an agreement to vacate the encampment, pack up their tents and go home.
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“For several days, a small group of faculty, administrators, and university senate members have been speaking with student organizers to discuss the basis for dismantling and dispersing the encampment and following future university policies. The talks have a deadline of 2019. midnight tonight “To reach an agreement,” she said.
On April 23, 2024, anti-Israel demonstrators held a rally in front of Columbia University in New York City. (Gina Moon/Getty Images)
Shafiq added, “I very much hope that this discussion will be successful. If not, we will remove the west lawn and restore tranquility to campus so that students can finish the semester and graduate.” We need to consider alternatives,” he added.
The deadline is approaching.
Hours later, the university announced it would give students an additional 48 hours to negotiate.
Negotiations with the camp continue
That deadline has come and gone, but the university announced on Friday, April 26, that it had made “progress” in negotiations.
“We have our demands, and they have theirs,” Columbia said in an update posted Thursday just after 11 p.m.
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The university also reassured protesters that it had no intention of calling the NYPD back to campus.
“Conversations are showing progress and are continuing as planned,” the university said. “Formal procedures are underway and continue.”
Anti-Israel agitators gather on the campus of Columbia University in New York City on Monday, April 22, 2024. The university announced that all classes will be held virtually today in response to ongoing demonstrations on campus. (Peter Garber)
The deadline for continuing negotiations was also extended.
“We have previously called on the NYPD to clear encampments, but based on our discussions within the community and with outside experts, we believe that recalling the NYPD at this time is counterproductive and will continue to prevent encampments from occurring on campus.” “We all share the view that this will further incite and attract thousands of people to our doorsteps who threaten our communities,” the senior officials said in a joint statement.
“We support the ongoing dialogue with the camp’s student leaders under the guidance of academic leaders,” the statement continued. “Our goal is to resolve this crisis safely. Tonight, we hope to see tangible signs of progress that will lead to a significant improvement in the atmosphere on the Morningside campus.”
The statement was signed by President Shafiq, Provost Angela Olinto, and Board Co-Chairs David Greenwald and Claire Shipman.
Columbia University President Minoush Shafik continued to negotiate with anti-Israel groups despite repeatedly missing deadlines. (Fox News Digital)
By Monday, April 29, the Colombian government announced that negotiations had not reached the desired outcome.
President Shafik said, “Unfortunately, we were unable to reach an agreement.”
Also on April 29, former President Trump made it clear that the protests should end.
“Stop the protests now!!!” he wrote in an all-caps message on Truth Social.
Former President Trump called for an end to the protests and said people should “respect the law and order of this country.” (Biden photo: Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images, Trump photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Trump added the following day: “People must respect law and order in this country.”
use a different strategy
Columbia University leadership requested assistance, and police officers moved to campus Tuesday at 9 p.m.
New York City police conducted an internal search to retake Hamilton Hall, a Columbia University building that was occupied late Monday night, from anti-Israel agitators.
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It was cleared around 11 p.m. the next day after a nearly two-hour operation by New York City police officers, most of them in riot gear.
Police also cleared the agitators’ encampment on campus, but only tents remained when the attack ended.
The Colombian government said it was left with “no option” but to call in the NYPD for help after the building was occupied due to “serious security concerns.”
FOX News’ Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.
