New York City police on Tuesday night released footage of their raid on the Columbia University building after receiving permission to retake it from anti-Israel agitators.
Hamilton Hall, which was taken over late Monday night, was evacuated around 11 p.m. Tuesday after a nearly two-hour operation by NYPD officers, most of them in riot gear. The instigators were also removed from the encampment on campus, leaving only their tents when the attack ended.
Columbia University leadership requested assistance, and officers moved into the occupied building Tuesday at 9 p.m.
“@Columbia has requested our assistance in retaking a campus where disturbing acts of violence, intimidation, and destruction of property are occurring,” NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry posted on X.
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NYPD officers in riot gear entered Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall around 9pm on Tuesday after the university asked police to take back the building from anti-Israel agitators. (Selcuk Achar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Footage from the attack showed officers climbing a ladder and entering Hamilton Hall through a second-story window. A short video clip released by the NYPD showed officers moving chairs blocking doors and entering locked rooms once inside the building.
“@NYPDnews is dispersing illegal encampments and people holed up in university buildings and restoring order,” Daughtry continued on X. “We are in constant communication with university officials. Our priority is public safety for everyone.”
During the raid to remove anti-Israel agitators, New York City police officers in riot gear also entered Hamilton Hall through a second-floor window. (Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images)
Fox News confirmed that the NYPD used at least four “distraction devices” to remove the agitators from Hamilton Hall. These devices are typically light-sounding devices such as flash bangs or canisters of gunpowder. Despite local reports, tear gas was not used.
Arrest totals were not available Tuesday night, but police said there was no violence during the raid and no reports of injuries.
The NYPD said Hamilton Hall was cleared by about 11 p.m. Tuesday. The total number of arrests was not immediately available. (Selcuk Achar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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A letter from the university Tuesday night defended the university’s decision to seek assistance from the NYPD to regain control of Hamilton Hall. In a letter posted by Daughtry to That person then let others inside.
“While the group that invaded the building involved students, it appears to be led by individuals not affiliated with the university,” the letter said. “The individuals who occupied Hamilton Hall vandalized university grounds and committed illegal acts. “Invading,” it says in part.
Anti-Israel agitators entered Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall late Monday night with the intention of occupying the building during a week of protests against Israel’s war in Gaza, the university said. (Alex Kent/Getty Images)
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.”
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As violence by anti-Israel agitators has escalated at Columbia University, the university has asked the New York Police Department to remain on campus until at least May 17, two days before graduation.
