Anti-Israel demonstrators sing and celebrate as Columbia University dispels rumors of an impending campus lockdown and mass evictions over the ongoing “Tent City” demonstrations.
The school’s authorities have been criticized for repeatedly bowing to protesters, despite claims by Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine that the university has threatened to bring down the hammer. , said negotiations with the students are progressing.
“Let us be clear: there is no truth to claims of an impending lockdown or campus eviction,” the administration said in a statement Saturday night.
SJP accused the university of planning a lockdown and eviction, then changing course under pressure. The group claimed Columbia had scheduled a briefing Saturday night to announce the warning.
“We will not be daunted by an administration that continues to intimidate and malign students,” SJP said.
Protesters could be seen celebrating with songs and chants at an encampment on Manhattan’s campus on Sunday, following the administration’s latest promise not to crack down on protests.
“Say it loud, say it loud, Palestine will be proud of us,” rejoiced the students.
After more than a week of demonstrations, protesters appear to be in for the long haul, with some students handing out bags of chips, fresh pasta and fried chicken, as well as offering vegan and kosher options. It was seen.
One of the Jewish students at the protest, Jared, 26, said he stood by the demonstrators because he believed that “the liberation of Palestine is necessary for the safety of the Jewish people.”
“We don’t feel safe when we have a government full of violent people who claim to commit atrocities on our behalf,” Jared said of the war in Gaza.
Jared said he had to explain to his grandparents that he did not support Hamas or fund the protests. He also noted the large number of Jewish students who have been suspended from school for participating in protests.
Last week, protesters faced backlash after anti-Semitic chants rang out inside the camp, but Jared suggested the university was also guilty of anti-Semitism.
“For a university that claims to be in the interest of Jewish students and seeks to suppress and silence dissenting voices, it certainly has suspended many Jewish students for participating.” Jared added.
As protests drag on, students are sharing dormitory showers and laundry facilities with suspended students who no longer have access to the building.
“They’re all pretty bad,” one student told the Post about the sanitary conditions among the protesters.
Some protesters appeared to tout the fact that they had been arrested during a failed initial police raid on campus to remove tents.
Above the tent was a sign that read, “Bold – Beautiful – Arrested.”
The students appeared to be more organized than in the chaotic early days of the protests, with security guards made up of students and some faculty stationed around the gates, blocking non-demonstrators and “Zionist ” was prevented from entering.
Reporters and photographers were also kept away from protesters because they might feel “uncomfortable”.
Students will not leave the Gaza Solidarity Encampment until the university accedes to their demands for a withdrawal from Israel and amnesty for students who have been arrested, suspended or placed on probation for their protests. has been repeatedly stated.
Columbia University President Minoush Shafik has been repeatedly accused of failing to quell the protests, with Yad Vashem president Dani Dayan the latest to demand action from the university.
“As thousands of Columbia University faculty, staff, and students demand the abolition of the state of Israel and the abolition of Zionism, you must stand up.” Dayan wrote in a letter published in X:.
Dayan likened the demonstrators to the Ku Klux Klan, said ongoing protests at Ivy League universities were of no use, and urged Shafiq to end the demonstrations.
“A great moral conflict has been brought to your doorstep,” Dayan added. “Rise to the occasion. We will guide you based on moral principles, not just administrative regulations. Speak up.”
