Protests at Columbia University intensified on Wednesday, with shocking video footage capturing a protester declaring “We’re all Hamas” and “Long live Hamas.” The protests included a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” organized by students. The university’s president, Minouche Shafik, faced congressional grilling over antisemitism on campus during this time. The video shared by StopAntisemitism showed a female protester wearing a keffiyeh banging on NYPD barricades and yelling “We are Hamas!” and “Long live Hamas.”
The confrontation between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine demonstrators turned tense, with NYPD officers stepping in between the two groups. Additionally, the protester who declared “We are Hamas” was filmed shouting aggressively at a pro-Israel demonstrator to “Get the f— out of our faces. Now!” The pro-Israel demonstrator responded by appealing to the camera to arrest them before the situation escalated further. A police officer intervened and separated the two groups, allowing the situation to defuse.
Subsequent footage from the protests captured dozens of police officers exiting the subway station equipped with helmets and plastic face shields, indicating an increased level of security measures. Overnight, Columbia University students held a sit-in demonstration on the university’s main lawn, transforming it into a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment.” This occurred while President Shafik testified before the House Education and Workforce Committee about antisemitic incidents at the school, presenting a report from the Task Force on Antisemitism at Columbia.
The report highlighted repeated violations by student groups at Columbia following the October 7 Hamas terror attacks in Israel. The protests and increased security at Columbia University underscore the ongoing tensions and divisions within the student body regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. The footage captured during the protests showcases the emotional intensity and charged atmosphere during direct confrontations between demonstrators with opposing views.
The impact of the protests and demonstrations at Columbia University extends beyond the campus as they attract attention from both national and international audiences. The involvement of local law enforcement to manage the protests reflects the challenges faced in maintaining public safety during such contentious events. The incident at Columbia University serves as a microcosm of the broader tensions and divisions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, highlighting the complexities and nuances of addressing sensitive geopolitical issues within educational institutions. President Shafik’s testimony before Congress further underscores the need for ongoing dialogue and engagement to address antisemitism and promote understanding among diverse student populations.
