Palestinian students protest war in Gaza at Columbia university
Photo: Pro-Palestinian students occupy the Columbia University building (twitter.com/FrancescaABlock)
Palestinian students staged a protest against the war in Gaza, with dozens of demonstrators being detained, according to The New York Times.
The protest took place on the grounds of Columbia University in New York. Demonstrators set up a tent city the day before, but the situation escalated on Tuesday, April 30. This occurred shortly after Columbia University began expelling students who remained in the camp.
Protesting students occupied one of the academic buildings - Hamilton Hall. Demonstrators broke windows of the building, blocked entrances and exits, and chanted pro-Palestinian slogans.
Police arrived at the protest, and several hours later, officers "cleared" Hamilton Hall of demonstrators. Law enforcement entered the building through the second floor using a vehicle equipped with stairs.
NYPD bus full of protesters arrested tonight at Columbia University @fox5ny #nypd #protesters @DebraCheatham pic.twitter.com/KGo7nGewkr
— Linda Schmidt (@LSchmidtFox5) May 1, 2024
Several clashes with law enforcement occurred on the university campus as arrests were made. In total, police reported that dozens of participants in the protest were detained.
@CityCollegeNY protests / 9:30pm @fox5ny @livenowfox @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/xCVO9zWRMW
— Teresa Priolo (@Fox5Teresa) May 1, 2024
Local authorities and Columbia University President Bollinger reacted to the protests. He requested police remain at the university until May 17 to "maintain order."
Student protests in the USA
The student protest in New York was not the first. In the United States, preceding graduation ceremonies at several educational institutions, rallies were held by participants opposing the war in Israel against Gaza.
Specifically, similar protests with tent encampments occurred at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Northeastern University in Boston, and Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
It is worth noting that these protests have a somewhat anti-Semitic character, often echoing pro-Hamas slogans.
Recall that Israel is conducting a military operation in the Gaza Strip. Recently, the United States and the United Kingdom called on Hamas to accept Israel's request to cease fire and release Israeli hostages.
