Columbia University: Pro-Palestine protestors fighting for important cause, says President

"Columbia has a long and proud tradition of protest and activism on many important issues such as the Vietnam War, civil rights, and the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. Today’s protesters are also fighting for an important cause, for the rights of Palestinians and against the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza. They have many supporters in our community and have a right to express their views and engage in peaceful protest," said Columbia University President Minouche Shafik.

Columbia University: The university has emerged as the epicentre of the Pro-Palestine protest across the USA, which spread to other colleges as well. The protestors demand a ceasefire in Gaza and divestment from Israel's company.

Pro-Palestine protestors fighting for an important cause, says President Minouche Shafik, in her latest statement. She said that the university has a long tradition of protesting on significant issues including civil rights, the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa, and the Vietnam War. Even today's protestors are protesting for an important cause, they have many supporters in the community and a right to express, she added.

"But students and outside activists breaking Hamilton Hall doors, mistreating our Public Safety officers and maintenance staff, and damaging property are acts of destruction, not political speech. Many students have also felt uncomfortable and unwelcome because of the disruption and antisemitic comments made by some individuals, especially in the protests that have persistently mobilized outside our gates," she further said.

Donald Trump says pro-Palestine demonstrators are paid professional agitators

Amis the pro-Palestine protests are going on in Columbia University and other prominent schools in the USA, the 45th President Donald Trump has said that the pro-Palestine demonstrators are paid professional agitators.

While giving an interview to Fox News, he claimed that most of these demonstrators had no idea what they were standing up for and had been bought by the higher authorities. He also praised the New York law enforcement for entering the Hamilton Hall and clearing the demonstrators and criticised President Biden for their handling of the protests.

“But they did an incredible job. They went into one of the big buildings, a beautiful landmark building. Boy, it got the hell beat out of it last night. You know you’re supposed to take care of those buildings. It took a beating. But the police came in and in exactly two hours everything was over. It was a beautiful thing to watch. New York’s finest,” he said of law enforcement.

Columbia University President is weak, says Donald Trump

While commenting on Columbia University President Minouche Shafik, he said, "The person that heads it up, a woman, she waited so long. She was so weak, she was so afraid, she was so bad. They could have done this with the tents and it would have gone quickly and no problem," as reported by The Hill.

Read more:

• Columbia University Pro-Palestine Protest Continues; President asks police to remain on campus until May 17
• UCLA: Jewish girl sent to Emergency Room after reportedly beaten by pro-Palestine pro-testers
• Israel-Hamas war: Pro-Palestine protest kicked off at Unversity of Auckland