Columbia University in New York issued a shelter-in-place order on Tuesday evening as police officers in riot gear converged near the campus in response to ongoing protests against the Israel-Hamas war. Over 1,000 protesters have been arrested on various campuses across the United States in the past two weeks, with some facing violent clashes with police. The White House condemned the standoffs at Columbia and California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, where protesters occupied buildings resulting in arrests and damages exceeding $1 million.
President Joe Biden and the National Security Council denounced the student protests, stating that occupying academic buildings is not a peaceful form of protest. Other colleges have attempted to negotiate with demonstrators to ensure peaceful commencement ceremonies. The protests have escalated in response to Israel’s offensive in Gaza after an attack by Hamas resulted in numerous casualties and hostages. Israel and its supporters have labeled the protests as antisemitic, while critics argue that these claims are used to silence opposition.
Protests began on Columbia’s campus, where demonstrators occupied Hamilton Hall, a site with historical significance as it was involved in a civil rights and anti-Vietnam War protest in 1968. Despite warnings from authorities, protesters vowed to remain in the building until their demands for divestment, financial transparency, and amnesty were met. The Columbia University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors criticized the administration for ignoring efforts to defuse the situation, warning of potential conflicts between police and protesters.
The situation at Columbia intensified as protesters locked arms and carried furniture and barricades into Hamilton Hall. The NYPD stated that officers would not enter the campus without a request from the administration or in the case of an emergency. Students faced suspension if they did not comply with earlier ultimatums to abandon encampments on campus, leading to tensions between protesters and authorities. Mayor Eric Adams claimed that the protests had been infiltrated by outside agitators, a contention disputed by organizers and participants who accused him of providing false information without evidence.
Despite efforts to reach compromises at some universities, including Northwestern University near Chicago, the protests show no signs of abating as cease-fire negotiations gain momentum. The demonstrations have sparked debates about free speech, peaceful protest, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Students participating in the protests have faced accusations of antisemitism, threats, and disruptions to their academic activities, prompting concerns about the impact of the protests on campus life. The ongoing protests highlight the complexities of navigating political activism, campus safety, and freedom of expression in higher education settings.
