Washington: Several individuals were taken into custody by the New York Police Department (NYPD) at Columbia University on Wednesday following a pro-Palestinian protest at Butler Library, according to university officials. The demonstration led to a tense standoff, with university administrators requesting police intervention to secure the campus.
According to Acting University President Claire Shipman, the NYPD was called in due to the large number of people participating in the protest, including individuals not affiliated with the university. The situation escalated when a group attempted to force their way into Butler Library, causing a safety hazard.
The university reported that two campus safety officers were injured during the incident. Protesters entered the library’s reading room 301 around 3:15 p.m. ET, disrupting study activities just days before final exams were set to begin.
Video footage from inside the library shows confrontations between campus safety officers and protesters, with officers attempting to block the doors as some demonstrators shouted, "Stop! You’re hurting me!" Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that the NYPD responded to the scene at the university's request and took multiple individuals into custody after they failed to comply with dispersal orders.
Protesters, who demanded the university divest from companies with ties to Israel, attempted to rename the library "Basel Al-Araj Popular University" after a Palestinian activist killed in 2017. It remains unclear how many protesters were detained or the specific charges they may face.
The incident is part of a broader wave of campus protests related to Middle East conflicts. Last year, Columbia University experienced similar demonstrations, including a blockade at Hamilton Hall, which resulted in mass arrests.
Governor Kathy Hochul stated that she has been briefed on the situation, expressing gratitude to law enforcement for maintaining student safety. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a review of the visa status of those involved, raising questions about the potential involvement of international students.
University officials emphasized that individuals violating university rules would face disciplinary action. "These disruptions of our campus and academic activities will not be tolerated," Shipman stated, underscoring the university’s commitment to maintaining order on campus.
