Columbia University: 108 anti-Israel protesters arrested by NYPD

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik had authorised the New York Police Department to dismantle a pro-Palestinian protest on campus which led to the arrest of 108 students.

A day after Columbia University President Minouche Shafik appeared for a Congressional hearing on Wednesday, she called the New York Police Department to block the anti-Israel protest on the campus. The daughter of “Squad” Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) Isra Hirsi is also arrested by the police. Two arrested protestors were handed obstruction of governmental administration summonses and all of them were slapped with trespassing summonses.

Mayor Eric Adams said, “Students have a right to free speech. They do not have a right to violate university policies and disrupt learning on campus," as reported by Hindustan Times.

“I know the conflict in the Middle East has left many of us grieving and angry. This is a painful moment for our city, for our country and for the globe. New Yorkers have every right to express their sorrow. But that heartbreak does not give you the right to harass others to spread hate,” added Mayor Eric Adams.

Minouche Shafik takes extraordinary step

Before calling the cops, she emailed students, staff and faculty members and informed them that she called the NYPD because of extraordinary circumstances which required extraordinary steps. The protesting students violated a long list of rules and policies, she added.

The police marched on the encampment of about 50 tents that had sprung up earlier in the week. The police were clad in riot gear and bearing zip ties.

The protestors were saying the slogans through loudspeakers - “Columbia, Columbia, you will see — Palestine will be free!”

“Since you have refused to disperse, you will now be placed under arrest for trespassing,” said a protestor. The protestors said that arresting and threatening them would only going to lead more mobilization.

Barnard College which is near Columbia University and shares its dining halls with the university also released an official statement and said that in these circumstances, the college is working to ensure the safety and well-being of their Barnard community as they prioritise the students' learning and living in an inclusive environment free from harassment.

A day before, the President had appeared in front of the university committee and said that the university condemned the antisemitism that is so pervasive today and it has no place on campus.

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