Late on Wednesday, detention began as the NYPD tries to arrest about 100 pro-Palestinian protesters who were taking over Butler Library from Columbia University, which Columbia University is affiliated with.
Acting President Claire Shipman , who had the authority to arrest students on campus many hours into the opposition, gave the NYPD the order to enter campus. Shortly after, officers began clearing the library and bringing in dozens of protesters wearing postal relations.
The temporary leader of the university, which is its second in as many years, attributed the choice to the large number of protesters, including those who allegedly forced their way into the library and people they believe would not attend.
The NYPD’s appearance is not what we wanted, Shipman wrote, but it was absolutely necessary to ensure our community’s security, Shipman wrote.
She claimed two Columbia officers were hurt by protesters attempting to elude them from entering the building and the show room.
Soon after 3 p.m., steps away from where students pitched a camp show last year, videos posted on social media showed the activists, who were wearing masks, pushing through security at the entry to Butler, the main school library. Mahmoud Khalil, a new graduate from Columbia and currently being detained by federal immigration officials, was played drums and displayed signs and stickers on the wall.
Mayor of New York City Eric Adams blasted the demonstration by pleading with their families live on television.
Kids, I believe you may reach out to your kids if they enroll in this program at Columbia University, Adams said on NBC 4. ” You don’t do this on the university campus, especially when you protest inside a collection.” We have a relationship with the university.
By Columbia protection, at least three activists were handcuffed and removed from the collection. No immediate details about the charges they might experience were made available.
Emergency medical personnel removed a third patient from a stretcher and transported them to a Columbia ambulance.
At 6 p.m., the NYPD were stationed outside the walls, but they had not yet arrived on campus.
Nearly an hour into the demonstration, the large party made an attempt to get out of the reading room and into public safety, but they were stopped by security staff who demanded their identification tickets, the videos reveal.
One officer told students via a microphone that they could be arrested if they showed their ID and that they could keep “without issue.”
” People have been asked for recognition, which will be recorded, and asked to evacuate,” the statement read. They have been informed that breaking our rules and regulations may lead to their arrest, according to the school’s a  statement.
According to the speech, activists may be subject to disciplinary action following an investigation.
” Some people choosing to stymie academic activities while our students are studying and getting ready for final examinations is entirely unacceptable.”
According to photos on social media, a hoodlum with a clean symbol reads,” Columbia will lose 4 the martyrs,” and,” Butler was a Nazi,” in an apparent reference to past Columbia leader Nicholas Murray Butler.
One man reportedly set a fire alarm inside the library hours into the opposition, reiterating the protesters ‘ demands that they be released without the need for proof of their identity. Another class of approximately 50 protesters gathered outside the library to chant” Free Palestine.”
According to the scientific calendar, the playoffs for Columbia will take place on Friday.
Franziska Sittig, 24, a Columbia alumna, described it as” an absolute disgrace” and said,” It’s an absolute mess.” My finals were canceled next year. Nothing has been learned by the presidency or the activists.
Following , activists staged occupations of an operational tower and collection at the associated Barnard College. This was at least the second big acquisition of a school building this semester.
Columbia is currently negotiating with the Trump presidency to recoup$ 400 million in federal cash after it was accused of not doing enough to protect Jewish individuals from abuse during the demonstrations.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Hillel executive producer Brian Cohen said,” Once again, protesters broke some University principles and infringed on Jewish students ‘ freedom to study for tests without being screamed at and harassed.”
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