After 18 hours of occupation, police dispersed a pro-Palestinian student protest at Columbia University. The tense standoff ended with dozens arrested, including students, alumni, and staff. Images of police presence, including drones, circulated as negotiations faltered.
Students had camped on the lawn, protesting the university’s ties to Israel’s conflict with Gaza. Columbia administrators, failing to reach a resolution, summoned student leaders for a Zoom meeting before police intervention.
Hours before the crackdown, protesters appeared on a balcony, symbolizing defiance. They received supplies lifted by a pulley, displaying solidarity amidst escalating tensions.
Negotiations reached a critical juncture as police closed in. Administrators offered expedited review of divestment proposals if protesters dispersed immediately. Refusing the ultimatum, students anticipated police action.
As police advanced, students sheltered in place, facing potential disciplinary action for non-compliance. The scene resembled an “invading army,” noted a professor overseeing student journalists.
Shouts of “Shame on you!” greeted police while students retreated. Police cleared the area, barricading doors and arresting demonstrators. Amidst the chaos, a student bystander reflected on feeling endangered by police actions.
Deputy Commissioner Sheppard emphasized swift police response in a video, highlighting the clearance of “New York City” encampments.
Feelings of defiance persisted among protesters, despite arrests and police intervention. The incident highlighted broader tensions surrounding campus activism and Israel-Palestine solidarity.
