A national movement in the United States to support the Palestinian cause and protest Israel’s actions in Gaza Strip erupted on the Columbia University campus, with dozens of pro-Gaza protesters being arrested. The university spokesperson expressed regret over the situation and condemned the actions of the protesters who had escalated it.
According to CNN reports, police broke into a window on the second floor of a building after receiving a request for intervention from Columbia University. The officers entered Hamilton Hall around 9:30pm and handcuffed and forced the protesters onto police buses. The pro-Palestinian group at Columbia, “Columbia University Apartheid Divest,” denounced the police raid and renamed Hamilton Hall as “Hind’s Hall” in honor of a six-year-old girl killed in Gaza.
Prior to the police intervention, Columbia University had threatened to expel students for vandalizing and blocking access to buildings. While initial reports suggested tear gas was used during arrests, New York police denied this and stated that tactics were used to catch protesters off guard. Other universities faced protests with varying responses, ranging from clearing encampments to chaos on campus.
Classes were canceled at UNC Chapel Hill due to dozens of student arrests, while at least five protesters were arrested at Florida State University in connection with demonstrations. These protests highlighted growing support for the Palestinian cause among students in the United States and differing responses by universities towards such demonstrations.
