May 7 (UPI) —
On Wednesday, two Columbia University Public Safety officers sustained injuries, and numerous individuals were detained following an incident where approximately 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators breached the institution’s premises in New York City and entered the campus library. The university president described these actions as “outrageous.”
Acting University President Claire Shipman said the officers were hurt during a crowd surge.
The people who caused disturbances in Butler Reading Room 301 continue to decline identifying themselves and exit the premises,
She stated in an announcement
.
Protesters started peacefully outside,
the Daily News reported
, however, some individuals joined Butler Library’s Reading Room 301 at approximately 3:15 p.m.
Protesters donned masks and forced their way past the security at the library’s entryway, as
shown in
videos
On social media, someone triggered the fire alarm within the library.
Following the physical removal of protesters from the library, conflicts erupted between demonstrators and both the New York Police Department and campus security in various areas around the campus.
About 60 to 70 were in custody, Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry
told WABC-TV.
NBC News shared video
of several dozen people pushing up against NYPD barricades just outside the university’s campus at 114th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.
At least three protesters were taken out of the library by Columbia security in handcuffs. A fourth person was on a gurney and put into a Columbia ambulance.
“While this is isolated to one room in the library, it is completely unacceptable that some individuals are choosing to disrupt academic activities as our students are studying and preparing for final exams,” the university
said in a statement
These interruptions to our campus and educational operations will not be accepted. Those who violate university rules and regulations will encounter disciplinary actions.
Shipman sought help from the NYPD to secure the structure when the protesters declined to reveal their identities and vacate the premises.
“Due to the number of individuals participating in the disruption inside and outside of the building, a large group of people attempting to force their way into Butler Library creating a safety hazard, and what we believe to be the significant presence of individuals not affiliated with the university, Columbia has taken the necessary step of requesting the presence of NYPD to assist in securing the building and the safety of our community,” she said.
New York Mayor Eric Adams
said in a statement
that the NYPD was entering the campus at the “formal request” of the university to remove those who weretrespassing.
Initially, NYPD officers remained off the campus grounds.
I have consistently stated that New York City will always uphold the right to peaceful demonstration, yet we will not condone any form of unlawful behavior,” Adams declared. “To our Jewish residents in New York, particularly those studying at Columbia who might be feeling endangered or insecure about going to classes due to recent occurrences: Be assured that your mayor supports you and remains committed to ensuring your safety.
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York, who received an update on the circumstances, stated in a release to WABC-TV: “Individuals have the freedom to demonstrate peaceably. However, acts of aggression, property damage, or ruination are entirely impermissible.”
Beyond the library, protesters beat drums, while individuals put up posters and stickers aimed at rallying support for Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia student recently apprehended by federal immigration officials.
There have been three takeovers of campus buildings this semester.
“Any interruptions to our educational processes will not be accepted and go against our established guidelines and regulations; this is particularly intolerable during the period when our students are studying and getting ready for their final examinations,” stated the university president. “Columbia firmly denounces acts of aggression occurring within our institution, along with expressions of antisemitism and every type of hostility and prejudice, incidents of which were observed earlier today. It is clear that demands for violent actions or damages have no standing whatsoever at our University. As developments unfold, we remain committed to keeping our community informed.”
In March
, the Trump administration in March paused $400 million in federal funding, saying the Ivy League school did not do enough to protect Jewish students from harassment during the protests.
“Once again, protesters violated many University rules and infringed on the rights of Jewish students to study for exams without being screamed at and harassed,” Hillel executive director Brian Cohen
posted on X
. “We are grateful to the public safety officers who, at great risk to themselves, tried to stop the protesters from storming the library. The University must act quickly and decisively to discipline every student involved in today’s takeover, and the local authorities must do the same for non-students involved.”
Finals begin Friday.
