Protests at Columbia University continued on Friday with a large police presence reported as demonstrators marched towards the university, chanting slogans and carrying signs and flags. The protesters are staging an encampment on the university’s lawn area as part of their anti-Israel protest, vowing to stay until their demands are met. The atmosphere on Friday was quieter than the previous day, with supporters joining the protesters who have set up tents. Despite the police presence, the protesters remain steadfast in their commitment to continue the protest.
The protesters are calling for Columbia University to divest from companies that profit from Israel’s actions in Palestine. They are demanding transparency regarding the university’s financial investments, the dropping of charges against students involved in the protests, and no further arrests. The demonstration has attracted attention after the arrest of 108 people, including the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar. Despite the dismantling of the encampment, protesters are determined to keep up the pressure on the university, with ongoing protest activity expected to continue on campus.
The protesters are determined to hold their ground and continue the protest despite the arrests and police presence. Organizers are urging supporters to come out in solidarity with Palestine and to keep the momentum going. The demonstrators are speaking out against what they view as Columbia University’s complicity in Israel’s actions in Palestine and are demanding accountability from the university. The ongoing protest activity reflects a broader trend of pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses in response to the recent military offensive in Gaza.
University President Minouche Shafik invited the NYPD to intervene on campus due to what she called “extraordinary circumstances” and violations of university policies by the protesters. The mass arrests on campus were the first since 1968, when students protested the Vietnam War and construction plans on campus. The university spokesperson emphasized the commitment to ensuring the core functions of the university continue amid ongoing protests. The current situation at Columbia University reflects a broader trend of activism on college campuses around issues related to social justice and human rights.
Overall, the protests at Columbia University reflect a larger movement in support of Palestinian rights and against complicity in Israel’s actions in Palestine. The ongoing demonstrations have attracted attention and generated intense debate on campus. The encampment on the university’s lawn continues to be a focal point for protesters as they push for accountability and change from the university administration. The protesters remain determined to continue their efforts, despite the arrests and police presence, in order to raise awareness and bring about meaningful action.
