Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Four of his ribs were broken
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Marwan al-Barghouti lost consciousness after a brutal assault by Israeli occupation soldiers
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip have not stopped, and just a short while ago, fishermen came under fire from boats
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces carry out a large explosion in the eastern neighborhood of the town of Mays al-Jabal in southern Lebanon.
Israeli media: Israeli political leadership decides to open Rafah crossing “as planned” and transfer aid to Gaza Strip.
Palestinian media: Three Palestinians were killed after being targeted by Israeli drone fire in the al-Shujaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh

Police arrest pro-Palestine protesters at Columbia University

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: New York Times
  • 18 Apr 2024 22:38
4 Min Read

It seems that the only way for authorities to stop wising pro-Palestine sentiments and protests is to make arrests and crack down on any such movement.

  • x
  • Police arresting pro-Palestine protesters at Columbia
    NYPD officers clash with pro-Palestinian, anti-Israeli protesters during a rally outside Columbia University in New York on February 2, 2024. (AFP)

The New York Police Department moved Thursday afternoon to disperse a pro-Palestine demonstration at Columbia University, detaining dozens of activists who had set up an encampment of around 50 tents on campus, The New York Times reported.

The arrests, which brought a fresh gathering of students to support the protesters, occurred the day after university authorities promised Congress they would crack down on student rallies related to the war on Gaza.

Officers dressed in riot gear and armed with zip ties began arresting protesters shortly before 1:30 pm Over a megaphone, a man stated that since they "refused to disperse," they would now be under arrest for trespassing. "If you resist arrest, you may face additional charges." 

Maryam Alwan, a senior and pro-Palestinian organizer on campus, expressed that "they can threaten us all they want with the police, but at the end of the day, it's only going to lead to more mobilization." 

Police officers loaded at least three buses with protesters, who complied while being brought into jail, and other organizers say they anticipated being detained.

Other protesters shouted “Shame! Shame!” 

Nemat Shafik, Columbia's President, enraged some students and academics during her hearing before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce on Wednesday when she mainly admitted that she believed some of the usual slogans during pro-Palestine marches were "antisemitic".

As the arrests began, Shafik stated in a letter that she took this "extraordinary step because these are extraordinary circumstances."

Related News

Venezuelan VP warns US hostility could disrupt global energy market

Tehran dismisses Trump’s rhetoric, demands 'actions not words'

In recent months, the school's administration has taken steps to limit demonstrations and reprimanded scores of students who have shown resistance. 

The New York Civil Liberties Union, in conjunction with a Palestinian advocacy group, has initiated legal action against Columbia University for its decision to suspend two pro-Palestinian organizations advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The legal action represents the latest development in how unrest on college campuses is unfolding across the United States amid the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.

USC cancels pro-Palestinian valedictorian's speech

In a related context, the University of Southern California faced criticism from a prominent Muslim organization following its decision to cancel the commencement speech of its valedictorian. The University cited "security concerns" arising from heightened tensions surrounding the ongoing war on Gaza as the reason for the cancellation.

On Monday, Asna Tabassum received the news that she would no longer be delivering a speech alongside her fellow graduates at the Los Angeles University's celebration on May 10.

In a statement released by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Tabassum said, “I am both shocked by this decision and profoundly disappointed that the University is succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice.”

In an announcement on Monday, USC Provost Andrew Guzman expressed concern over the recent tone of discussions surrounding the selection of the university's valedictorian.

“The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement,” Guzman said.

USC reportedly received complaints from at least two pro-Israeli organizations regarding the selection of the valedictorian over " her social media activity."

In her personal statement regarding USC's decision, Tabassum described herself as a first-generation South Asian-American Muslim hailing from Chino Hills, located east of Los Angeles. She is pursuing a major in biomedical engineering and a minor in resistance to genocide.

  • United States
  • Gaza Strip
  • war on Gaza
  • pro-Palestine protest
  • Operation Al-Aqsa Flood
  • Palestine
  • Israel
  • Gaza genocide
  • Israeli occupation
  • Columbia University
  • Gaza

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
UK extends jet patrols over Poland as NATO builds ‘drone wall’
Politics

UK extends jet patrols over Poland as NATO builds ‘drone wall’

Thousands trapped in El Fasher siege on ‘edge of survival': Report
Politics

Thousands trapped in El-Fasher siege on ‘edge of survival': Report

Trump links aid to Milei’s midterm success, blackmailing Argentinians.
US & Canada

Trump 'extorts' Argentinians, links aid to Milei’s midterm success

Six foreigners barred as US polices speech on Charlie Kirk
Politics

6 foreigners' visas revoked as US polices speech on Charlie Kirk

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS