Columbia suspends encampment protesters; movement unfazed
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Columbia University's administration is applying punitive measures against protestors demanding an end to the Israeli genocide of Palestinians.
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Students protest at their encampment on the Columbia University campus against the Israeli genocide of Palestinians, on April 29, 2024, in New York, the United States. (AP)
Columbia University is suspending students participating in pro-Palestine encampments on its campus, after ordering them to evacuate the premises earlier.
The university, which has become the focal point of protests taking the United States by storm, took punitive decisions against its students for justly demonstrating against the Israeli genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and American universities' continued backing of the occupation.
This follows almost two weeks of protests that have swept across upward of 79 universities in the United States, leading to hundreds of arrests in crackdowns that ensued.
The New York-based university's administration demanded that the protest encampment be cleared by 2:00 pm (18:00 GMT) or students would face disciplinary action, which would see them suspended and subject to investigation. The administration also said that it would bar non-complying students from completing their Spring semesters.
"These repulsive scare tactics mean nothing compared to the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians," said a statement, read out by a student at a press conference after the deadline.
"We will not move until Columbia meets our demands or... are moved by force," the statement explained.
Earlier, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik, said that talks had broken down between the administration and protesters, claiming that Jewish students and others are feeling unwell due to the "intolerable" atmosphere at the university. It is worth noting that protesters are demanding that Columbia University divest from the Israeli occupation, which is committing a blatant genocide in the Gaza Strip. However, demonstrators have not threatened or taken violent action against others, contrary to Shafik's claims.
The protests have marked one of the most resounding events of popular protests since the war on Gaza first took place, driving global and American attention back to the atrocities committed by "Israel" in the Gaza Strip. Furthermore, the organizers' demands have underscored the critical imperative of advocating for economic measures against the Israeli occupation, particularly within Western nations, catalyzing widespread condemnation and proactive responses from authorities keen on mitigating the impact of these demonstrations.
Read more: Democrats push for further crackdown on Columbia University students
