In response to pro-Palestinian protests, Columbia University took intense disciplinary measures against students who participated in the takeover of Hamilton Hall last spring, expelling some, suspending others for years, and partially revoke degrees.
The school’s Judicial Board announced the sanctions on Thursday, but it did not specify how many kids were impacted.
According to the university,” These results are the result of thorough and comprehensive processes made in accordance with the Rules of University Conduct,” adding that the decisions were based on the students ‘ actions ‘ severity and any earlier administrative history.
The NYPD assault and occupation of April
In April, when protesters seized Hamilton Hall and stoked a global school protest rooted in the Israel-Hamas battle, the protest grew even more. At least one man hid inside the constructing before letting some in, according to school officials. Eventually, Columbia later reported to the NYPD that the demonstrators had allegedly trespassed and vandalized university property. Some of the demonstrators are not connected to the school.
The school noted that two security personnel were” secured and released” inside the building. Columbia authorized the NYPD to surprise the building as the situation got worse, leading to numerous prosecutions.
constitutional and administrative repercussions
The Manhattan city attorney cited “extremely limited” security footage in June when charging the most detained protesters were being held inside Hamilton Hall. But, lawyers continued to file charges against people who had assaulted police officers at both Columbia and City College.
The protests also sparked a leadership shake-up, with both the administrative and legal effects. In August of this year, Columbia President Minouche Shafik resigned in protest of the school’s response.
A contentious imprisonment
Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) took the university’s disciplinary actions just days after Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who led the Columbia protests, was detained despite having a green card.
His incarceration set off a fresh outcry. Donald Trump made the claim that Khalil supported Hamas and that his incarceration may get” the first of many to come” in the coming days. The accusation was refuted by Khalil’s prosecutor, who rebutted it.
Columbia is at the center of a growing conflict over free speech, school activism, and national security as protests, arrests, and social pressure mount.
