The New York City Police Department released footage of its raid inside a Columbia University building, Hamilton Hall, to remove anti-Israel agitators who had overtaken the building. The raid occurred after Columbia requested assistance from the NYPD, citing acts of violence, intimidation, and property destruction on campus. The footage showed officers in riot gear entering the building through second-floor windows, removing barricades, and clearing out the agitators. No violence or injuries were reported during the operation, and tear gas was not used. The NYPD used distraction devices to clear the building, and an arrest total was not available at the time of the raid.
A letter from Columbia University defended its decision to call the NYPD for backup in regaining control of Hamilton Hall. The letter stated that individuals not affiliated with the university had led the group that occupied the building, vandalized university property, and trespassed. Due to safety concerns, the university had no choice but to seek help from the NYPD to address the situation. The presence of anti-Israel agitators on campus had escalated to a point where the university requested the NYPD’s presence through at least May 17, two days after graduation. The university expressed its commitment to public safety for all individuals on campus.
The occupation of Hamilton Hall by anti-Israel agitators prompted the NYPD to conduct a nearly two-hour operation to clear the building and the encampment on campus. The footage released by the NYPD showed officers breaking into locked rooms and removing barricades to restore order on campus. The NYPD emphasized that their priority was public safety for all individuals involved and that they were in constant communication with university officials throughout the operation. Despite reports of a car full of masked individuals surveilling Columbia students who had faced off with the mob, no injuries or violence were reported during the raid.
The situation at Columbia University highlighted the need for collaboration between law enforcement and educational institutions to address instances of violence, intimidation, and property destruction on campus. The NYPD’s intervention at Columbia came at the request of university officials after escalating tensions between anti-Israel agitators and the university community. The university’s decision to involve the NYPD in clearing the building reflected their commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all individuals on campus. The raid at Hamilton Hall demonstrated the swift and effective response of law enforcement to restore order and protect public safety in the face of ongoing threats and disturbances.
The successful operation by the NYPD to clear Hamilton Hall and the campus encampment at Columbia University represented a collaborative effort to address the activities of anti-Israel agitators on campus. The footage released by the NYPD captured the decisive action taken by officers to remove barricades, enter locked rooms, and disperse the agitators peacefully. The operation highlighted the importance of maintaining public safety and upholding the rule of law in addressing acts of violence, intimidation, and property destruction in educational settings. The engagement between the NYPD and Columbia University underscored the need for a coordinated response to ensure the well-being and security of all individuals on campus.
