Columbia threatens students who took over building with expulsion

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
30 Apr 2024 21:55
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White House spokesperson John Kirby stresses that Washington has been closely monitoring the growing protests on US campuses, while also acknowledging the spread of protests in Europe and the region.

Students with the Gaza encampment take over Hamilton Hall at Columbia University in New York, naming it Hind's Hall. (AP)

Columbia University said Tuesday that students who took over a campus building as part of pro-Palestinian protests face expulsion from their academic programs, the latest move in a standoff with school officials.

"Students occupying the building face expulsion," Columbia's Office of Public Affairs said in a statement, claiming that the protesters were provided "the opportunity to leave peacefully" but instead declined and escalated the situation, failing to mention the deployment of the police earlier to crack down on the peaceful protests.

This comes shortly after the White House criticized, on Tuesday, the use of what it called "non-peaceful" methods to protest the ongoing Israeli genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, as Columbia University students took over a campus building, stating that such actions were "the wrong approach."

White House spokesperson John Kirby mentioned that Washington was closely monitoring the growing protests on American campuses, while also acknowledging the spread of protests in Europe and the region.

"The president believes that forcibly taking over a building on campus is absolutely the wrong approach. That is not an example of peaceful protests," Kirby told reporters at a briefing.

In a nod to the 1968 anti-war protests, #ColumbiaUniversity students took over #HamiltonHall, renaming it Hind's Hall.

It was renamed after Hind Rajab, the 6-year-old #Palestinian girl who was brutally killed by Israeli tanks a couple of months ago.

The Hall was taken over by… pic.twitter.com/6OKUZeYiOa
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 30, 2024

Kirby mentioned that although the president has extensive powers to federalize the National Guard, such a step is not being considered in response to the current events unfolding at Columbia University in New York City. These events entail students entering a building, obstructing doors, and creating a barricade by joining arms outside, as per the spokesperson.

"There's no active effort to look at federalizing the National Guard at this time," he said.

Kirby also added that he had not come across any evidence of malicious individuals participating in the college protests occurring nationwide. Elsewhere in his remarks, he still claimed that the government backs free speech and the right to protest while stressing the importance of ensuring that these protests remain peaceful and do not endanger other students.

On his part, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates added in a statement that President Joe Biden "condemns the use of the term 'intifada' [uprising], as he has the other tragic and dangerous hate speech displayed in recent days."

"Forcibly taking over buildings is not peaceful – it is wrong. And hate speech and hate symbols have no place in America," Bates stressed.

This comes as protests focusing on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the unbearable civilian death toll broke out on college campuses across the United States, notably at Columbia University, where demonstrators occupied Tuesday a building on campus, blocked entrances, and displayed a Palestinian flag outside a window of the Hamilton Hall.

In the same context, an autonomous group has reclaimed Hamilton Hall and renamed it "Hind's Hall" in tribute to Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian child who was killed at the hands of the Israeli occupation forces in Gaza, according to CU Apartheid Divest (CUAD), a coalition of pro-Palestinian student organizations.

"Protesters have voiced their intention to remain at Hind’s Hall until Columbia concedes to CUAD’s three demands: divestment, financial transparency, and amnesty," the group underlined.

Meanwhile, several media outlets suggested that over 1,000 individuals have been arrested on campuses, highlighting that protests have extended beyond the United States to Canada and Europe.

WH claims opening of new aid crossing in Northern Gaza this week

In a different context, the White House claimed that "Israel" is set to inaugurate a fresh crossing into northern Gaza this week following a request from US President Biden during a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The statement also noted the daily entry of over 200 aid trucks.

The White House also announced today that a potential captive deal could result in six weeks of no fighting anywhere. Additionally, the White House praised a new captive proposal, urging Hamas to accept it as a positive step toward peace.

On the diplomatic front, the White House stated it is not aware of any US involvement in discussions between Chinese authorities and Palestinian factions. However, it expressed openness to Chinese efforts to leverage influence for stability in the region.

This is happening as the situation in Gaza remains dire as the Israeli genocide persists into its 207th day. The overall toll of the Israeli aggression has now reached a staggering 34,535 martyrs and 77,704 injuries since October 7.