Columbia University has become the epicenter of a recent series of pro-Palestinian protests that have erupted in New York City. Despite mass arrests, students and anti-Israel agitators continued their “shocking” actions.
One part-time Columbia University student claimed the ordeal showed how the “madness” after October 7 had reached its “culmination.”
”“I think the excitement on campus after Oct. 7 has really reached a new level,” New York Post columnist Ricky Schrott said on Saturday’s “Fox & Friends Weekend.”
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“NYPD cops in literal riot gear are intentionally arresting hundreds of people for supporting Palestine and for supporting a cause that they really clearly don’t support. I never imagined that I would have to disperse students at Columbia University.” I don’t completely understand. ”
Schrott, who is in her first semester at Columbia University, had a “front row seat to the madness” Thursday and Friday.
Like many Ivy League campuses, Columbia University has seen numerous pro-Palestinian protests erupt since October 7th. Demonstrations have intensified as Israel continues its military offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Dozens of protesters had been setting up tents on school grounds since early Wednesday morning, calling on the university to Connection with Israelas Shafiq testified on Capitol Hill.
The university had locked down its campus to ID holders only in anticipation of unrest related to Shafiq’s testimony.
On Thursday, hours before University President Minoush Shafiq testified before the House Education and Labor Committee about anti-Semitism on campus, protesters set up a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” on the campus lawn.
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“Basically what the campaign wants is for the university to divest all its investments in Israel through its endowment, and they have said they will not exit until that happens,” Schrott said. explained.
Schrott also credited the New York City Police Department, which was eventually invited to the university by Shafiq and began arresting several protesters.
A total of 108 people were arrested and issued citations for trespassing, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) announced at an evening press conference. Two additional people were subpoenaed on suspicion of obstruction of government.
New York City police officers noted that many of the protesters were peaceful and did not resist arrest. However, police sources said about 500 students left the classroom and told officers they were the “KKK”, “baby killers” and that they were “going to kill themselves”.
Undeterred by Thursday’s mass arrests, protests continued at Columbia University on Friday, with reports of a heavy police presence, including officers in riot gear.
Schrott made a distinction between outside protesters and Columbia University students, arguing that outside agitators were “more aggressive” and “more extreme.”
”[Columbia] The actual campus was off-limits to anyone without ID, so I was able to get in since I was the only student there. And I think the protesters who were actually outside included some of the people who shouted “we”. “Hamas, who were probably not students, were, in my view and my experience, much more aggressive and much more radical than the students inside,” she said.
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During several days of protests, Schrott said he heard demonstrators shouting things like “Intifada,” “We are Hamas,” and “Expose, expose!”
“Students were trespassing, clearly violating school rules, and were being arrested. This was really fulfilling considering that they don’t seem to really understand how they are treated, said the part-time student.
Schrott said he had been prepared for this since he previously attended New York University, but the protests were “shocking.”
A Columbia University spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital: “Although the campground has been cleared, our community has been protesting on campus since October, and we expect that activity to continue. “I’m doing it,” he said.
The spokesperson continued: “We have and will continue to adhere to rules regarding the time, place and manner of protest activities. We are in regular contact with students and student organizations. “We will continue to support the protests and work to ensure the core functions of the protest movement.” University continues. ”
Fox News Digital also reached out to Columbia for comment on Saturday.
FOX News’ Bree Stimson, Michael Dorgan, Stephen Solace and Luis Casiano contributed to this report.
