The New York City Police Department released a video showing a professional “protest consultant” instructing a mob of anti-Israel agitators as they took over Hamilton Hall at Columbia University. Mayor Eric Adams spoke about outside agitators co-opting what should have been a peaceful protest and creating serious public safety issues. The NYPD has seen an escalation in tactics, such as barricades made out of furniture, property destruction, and de-arresting tactics, believed to be the result of guidance from outside agitators. Police expect this behavior to continue across universities in New York City and the country.
The outside agitators are not students and are violating Columbia University’s policy. The group has a history of escalating situations and creating chaos to serve their own agenda. Mayor Adams urged anyone involved to walk away and stressed that these individuals are not promoting peace or unity but rather creating discord and divisiveness. Some of the agitators have been known to the NYPD for years, and they have seen an escalation in tactics that are believed to be influenced by outside guidance.
One specific individual identified in the video is Lisa Fithian, a professional “protest consultant” who has participated in various protests, including climate change and Occupy Wall Street. Fithian was seen instructing anti-Israel agitators as they took over an academic building at Columbia University, with videos showing protesters engaging in various disruptive behaviors. Some of the participants in these protests are being paid, with funding coming from organizations like the Soros Open Society Foundation and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.
Ira Stoll, the founder and editor of theeditors.com, discussed the involvement of individuals like Fithian in these protests and the financial support behind them. He highlighted how many of the participants in the anti-Israel movements are the same individuals who participate in other protests, such as Black Lives Matter and anti-Trump protests. For these individuals, protesting seems to be an activity akin to playing sports or attending religious services, and they are unlikely to stop until their goals are accomplished or until they are in jail. The involvement of outside agitators and the escalation of disruptive tactics are causing serious public safety issues, according to Mayor Adams and the NYPD.
The tactics employed by the protesters at Columbia University have included creating barricades out of furniture, destroying property, using signs to fortify and create shields, and engaging in de-arresting tactics. The police have noted an escalation in tactics they believe are influenced by outside agitators, leading to serious public safety concerns. Mayor Adams emphasized the need for a peaceful protest and called for the individuals involved to walk away from the situation to prevent further chaos and divisiveness. The involvement of paid protesters and the financial support behind these movements raise questions about the underlying motivations driving these disruptions on college campuses.
