Students who formed an encampment at New York City’s Columbia University to protest Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip have been arrested in New York after the university reversed course to allow law enforcement on campus. The city police responded with all their might. The decision prompted a backlash from Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and an online fight erupted between her and police.
“Good SAT scores and self-righteousness do not trump the law,” NYPD Commissioner John Chell tweeted early Thursday morning.
“Columbia has decided to hold students accountable for school laws,” he added. “I’m sure you’ll agree that we need to teach them these valuable life skills.”
The comments came after Ocasio-Cortez complained Wednesday that Columbia University had made “a horrible decision to mobilize the NYPD against our own students.”
Utah state president defends shutdown of anti-Israel demonstrations: ‘Our rules are important and will be enforced’
New York City police officers arrest an anti-Israel demonstrator who blocked the road outside Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s home in Brooklyn, New York, Tuesday, April 23, 2024. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)
Students are protesting Israel’s war on Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians.
Fox News Digital reached out to Ocasio-Cortez’s office for additional comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
On Thursday, the NYPD responded to AOC, praising the school for holding students “accountable” for the “consequences of their actions.”
“It’s truly amazing! Columbia University has decided to hold students accountable to school laws. They are seeing the consequences of their actions. Something like this probably doesn’t help these kids. This is something that was never taught to me,” Chell wrote on Thursday.
Columbia University moves to hybrid learning on main campus amid anti-Semitic protests
He continued, “Secondly, I was with that ‘squad’ last Thursday that you described as having ‘the most violent reputation.'” These ‘squads’ are meticulous The students were removed with great care and professionalism, but not a single incident was reported. ”
The New York City Police Department responded to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s criticism of Columbia University’s decision to deploy law enforcement officers to restore peace. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
“The only thing that happened on campus that day was hateful, anti-Semitic speech by students and vile language directed at police officers.”
The police chief also urged the congressman to “reconsider” his comments and thank NYPD officers.
“I think you all agree that hate speech of any kind is unacceptable. You should turn your comments into a simple thank you to the NYPD. Hate has no place in our society.” “Lack of accountability = consequences,” he wrote.
Anti-Israel protesters at Columbia University: 5 dramatic moments from a week of chaos
“There is no place for hatred from anyone, anywhere, in our city and country,” Chell concluded.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry echoed this sentiment, noting how the protests are affecting other students at the school.
“Everyone has a constitutional right to protest, and it is one of the pillars of our great democracy. You also have the right to attend,” Daughtry wrote.
New York City police officers patrol as anti-Israel demonstrators demonstrate outside the Columbia University campus on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in New York City. (Peter Garber, Fox News Digital)
He continued, “There is nothing ‘horrible’ about protecting the safety of Columbia’s young students as they try to go to school. As we have said many times, the NYPD will always respond to your protests.” We will protect and defend the rights of the people,” he added. But just because you hold up a sign while threatening, harassing, intimidating, or assaulting people does not absolve you of criminal activity. ”
Anti-Israel campus protesters make demands on administrators, vowing to stop action until university responds
“Anti-Semitism and spewing hate at children will never be tolerated in our cities. Our police officers are some of the best and most highly trained law enforcement officers in the world. They are professionals. They have to endure insults, threats, and hate speech every day. It’s the uniform they wear trying to keep the peace and protect the rights of all.”
The NYPD deputy commissioner also encouraged Ocasio-Cortez to visit Columbia and walk the campus to observe protests.
“Our police officers will continue to do their jobs as usual and are committed to protecting you, no matter your political beliefs, in the same way they have protected everyone on campus. If you feel that you are being violated, you will be reported,” he concluded.
On Wednesday, Ocasio-Cortez publicly voiced her support for the protests, describing them as “peaceful” but saying she would summon law enforcement officers to help restore order on campus. He criticized the school’s decision.
“Columbia University not only made the terrible decision to mobilize the NYPD against its own students, but the unit it called in has one of the most violent reputations in the force,” she tweeted. “The NYPD promised the city it would not deploy SRGs. [Strategic Response Group] to [the] Protest activity. ”
A row of Palestinian flags is seen on the fence of an anti-Israel camp at Columbia University on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Stephen Jeremiah)
After more than 100 students were arrested, Columbia University continued to negotiate with the students to vacate the encampment, but several failed attempts were largely fruitless.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Columbia University extended negotiations to reach an agreement to clear the camp by a midnight deadline Tuesday set by President Minoush Shafik, averting new clashes between students and police early Wednesday. The school extended negotiations for another 48 hours.
Police announced this week that 133 protesters were detained at New York University.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
