Over 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators were arrested at Columbia University for trespassing, including Isra Hirsi, the daughter of U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar. The arrests occurred after a peaceful protest against Israeli military actions and Columbia’s financial ties to companies alleged to profit from Israeli policies in Palestine.
The protest began with the establishment of a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” by students, faculty, and various groups, demanding that the university divest from these companies. The encampment, described as a “Liberated Zone,” was set up on Columbia’s campus with tents and various activities, including teach-ins and film screenings. The protesters pledged to remain until the university committed to divestment, despite repeated warnings from the administration that their actions violated university policies and could result in suspension.
Columbia President Nemat Shafik, who had just testified before Congress regarding the university’s response to antisemitism, authorized the NYPD to clear the encampment; voicing her concerns for student safety and curriculum disruptions. The police operation was conducted without violence, but the university’s actions have been criticized as a suppression of peaceful assembly and speech.
Critics, including public intellectual Cornel West, have condemned the university’s response, calling it a moral failure. Meanwhile, some students expressed relief, feeling that the protest had created a harassing environment. Notably, over Wednesday afternoon, pro-Palestine protestors were being met with pro-Israel counter-protestors, exacerbating tensions.
The context of these protests is particularly sensitive, given the recent surge in campus activism across the U.S. related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This has been further complicated by national debates over how universities handle antisemitism and the broader implications for campus policies on protest and speech.
Columbia’s administration has stood by its decision, stating that the enforcement actions were necessary to uphold university rules and ensure the functioning of the institution.
