Columbia University requested assistance from the New York Police Department to disperse pro-Palestinian demonstrators who gathered at the main campus library on Wednesday.
In a statement, acting president Claire Shipman explained that the protesters refused to leave, even after being warned about potential disciplinary action and the possibility of arrest for trespassing.
“Given the number of individuals involved and the crowd attempting to access the Butler Library, which created safety risks, we felt it necessary to involve the NYPD to protect our community,” she said.
She also noted that two university public safety officers were injured during the chaos as crowds surged toward the building, calling these actions “outrageous.”
In an interview later that evening, New York Mayor Eric Adams mentioned that the police were responding to the situation on campus, labeling the protest as “unacceptable.”
Students were alerted around 6 PM EST that the library had been closed and urged to clear the area.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul was informed about the incident and expressed gratitude to public safety officials working to ensure student safety.
She stated, “Everyone has the right to protest peacefully. However, violence, vandalism, or destruction of property is completely unacceptable.”
Images shared online by Columbia University’s Apartheid Divest group depicted masked protesters taking various actions, such as standing on desks and holding signs that read “Strike for Gaza.” There were also banners calling for the university to divest funds allegedly profiting from the situation in Gaza.
The protesters claimed they did not show identification and reported injuries during clashes with security personnel. They asserted, “We’re not useless intellectuals. Palestine is our compass, and we stand firm against violent oppression.”
This standoff occurs at a challenging time for the university, which is facing scrutiny from the Trump administration regarding responses to protests against the Gaza conflict last spring, leading to significant funding cuts.
Amid these changes, the university has also announced layoffs in response to budget constraints. Officials are aiming to work with the Trump administration to restore funding.
Last spring, a previous demonstration involved protesters occupying Hamilton Hall. Since that time, the university has seen a change in leadership, including the resignation of an interim president who had conceded to many demands from the Trump administration, causing discontent among faculty concerned about the impact on academic freedom.
