Democrats call on Columbia board to end protest encampment or resign

A group of House Democrats is calling on Columbia University’s Board of Trustees to end the ongoing protest encampment on campus or resign from their positions.

Representative Josh Gottheimer (DN.J.) and Representative Dan Goldman (DN.Y.) led a group of 21 colleagues. send a letter The board called on school officials to call off the encampment, which has garnered national attention for more than a week.

“We, the undersigned, write to express our disappointment that Columbia University has not yet disbanded the unauthorized and impermissible encampment of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activists on campus,” Democratic Party the lawmakers wrote.

“As a result of the chaos on campus, supported by some faculty and staff, many students were unable to safely attend classes, access the main library, or live in their dorms, in clear violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. “I couldn’t even leave my room,” they added.

Axios first reported on the letter.

Columbia University received national attention earlier this month when pro-Palestinian protesters set up an encampment on campus. School officials then called on the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to respond to the demonstration, which resulted in some arrests.

Students across the U.S. are currently setting up pro-Palestinian encampments on their college campuses, with many protesters calling for a ceasefire in the Israeli-Hamas war and demanding that schools withdraw from Israel. .

The protests are reported to have been largely peaceful, but concerns have been raised about anti-Semitic rhetoric during the demonstrations and the safety of students on campus. Columbia University President Minoush Shafiq is facing calls to resign amid protests.

In a letter Monday, the lawmakers praised the Colombian government’s efforts to negotiate an agreement with the protesters, but noted that the participating students were “reluctant to reach a reasonable agreement to disperse.” He said it was “very clear” that

“Those who violate the law cannot dictate the terms under which the university can comply with that law. It is past time for the university to act decisively, disband the camp, and ensure the safety and security of all students. ,” the lawmakers wrote.

“The time for negotiation is over. The time for negotiation is over. The time for action is now. It is ultimately up to the board to act. If some trustees do not respond, Title VI “He should resign so that he can be replaced by someone who will uphold the university’s legal obligations,” the lawmakers said in their conclusion.

When contacted by The Hill, Columbia declined to comment on the letter.