Police to remain stationed at Columbia Uni after clearing encampment
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Protests supporting Palestine at Columbia University ended dramatically and police are now stationed near Pulitzer Hall.
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Students and other protesters are in a tent camp on the campus of Columbia University in New York on April 24, 2024. (AP)
The encampment on Columbia University's campus has been dismantled, leaving the green lawn visible once more, albeit with marks where tents once stood, The New York Times reported.
Following the arrest and removal of numerous protesters a few hours ago, around 30 police officers are now stationed near Pulitzer Hall.
A group of 21 House Democrats were among those pushing Columbia University to crack down on pro-Palestinian demonstrators before the arrest campaign on Tuesday, urging the University's board to "act decisively" or resign.
It is worth noting that more than 1,000 students have been arrested on college and university campuses since April 18. Also, protesters have been arrested on more than 25 campuses across 21 states.
In a letter, the lawmakers warned on Monday that “The time for negotiation is over; the time for action is now,” demanding the clearing of an encampment of demonstrators. “If any trustees are unwilling to do this, they should resign so that they can be replaced by individuals who will uphold the university’s legal obligations.”
Dozens of armed #NYPD officers raided buildings in #Columbia_University, dispersing and brutalizing protesters who demanded their university divest from the Israeli occupation. pic.twitter.com/l1KjAiU5NN
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 1, 2024
Cracking down on protesters
On Tuesday at dawn, Police were heavily deployed at Columbia University and eventually cracked down on protesters participating in the pro-Palestine encampment. Moreover, local organizers said that New York police arrived at The City College of New York (CCNY) after students occupied a building in CCNY escalating their action in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.
Moreover, at approximately 9:00 pm (EDT), police marched toward Hind's Hall, to disperse the protesters.
Local reports indicate that at least one person was detained, as police attacked protesters and prevented journalists from filming the unfolding events. According to AFP's correspondent police, officers arrived outside Hamilton's Hall and attempted to forcibly disperse protesters from the area.
In a nod to the 1968 anti-war protests, #ColumbiaUniversity students took over #HamiltonHall, renaming it Hind's Hall.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 30, 2024
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
Police officers were also working on erecting a ramp to establish a pathway to a window of Hamilton's Hall, attempting to invade the building after students barricaded its entrances.
Students across universities in the United States and several Western countries are protesting against their universities, demanding they divest from the Israeli occupation, and calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza following months of the Israeli genocide of Palestinians.
