NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — At least 80 people were taken into custody at the Columbia University campus on Wednesday after pro-Palestinian protesters occupied Butler Library, campus and city officials confirmed.
It wasn't immediately clear how many of those in custody had occupied the library and how many were cuffed outside. Charges hadn't been filed against any of them as of Thursday morning, according to the NYPD. Meanwhile, there was limited access to the campus.
“As I’ve said repeatedly, New York City will always defend the right to peaceful protest, but will never tolerate lawlessness,” Mayor Eric Adams wrote on social media. “To our Jewish New Yorkers, especially the students at Columbia who feel threatened or unsafe attending class because of these events: know that your mayor stands with you and will always work to keep you safe.”
Referring to the occupation of Butler Library as a "liberated zone," the group Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) reposted a flyer promoting the protest on social media, and called it an "Emergency Rally 4 Palestine."
Participants were encouraged to "bring noise" and "wear [masks]." The flyer was originally posted by Within Our Lifetime, a Palestinian-led community advocacy organization. CUAD is a prominent campus group that was behind the pro-Palestinian encampment at Columbia last year that made national headlines and sparked similar demonstrations at colleges and universities across the nation.
In an updated statement regarding the protest, Columbia Acting President Claire Shipman wrote that “Due to the number of individuals participating in the disruption inside and outside of the building, a large group of people attempting to force their way into Butler Library creating a safety hazard, and what we believe to be the significant presence of individuals not affiliated with the University, Columbia has taken the necessary step of requesting the presence of NYPD to assist in securing the building and the safety of our community.”
According to the statement, individuals participating in the protest were repeatedly asked for identification and to leave, and were told that failure to comply would result in violations of campus rules and policies and possible arrest for trespassing.
“Requesting the presence of the NYPD is not the outcome we wanted, but it was absolutely necessary to secure the safety of our community,” Shipman said.
She also noted that while responding to the demonstration, two Columbia public safety officers sustained injuries in a crowd surge when individuals attempted to force their way into Room 301 at Butler Library, where the protest was taking place.
Adams first confirmed that the university reached out to the city for help and that the NYPD is responding in a pre-planned interview on NBC New York.
"This behavior is unacceptable. We are in communication with the staff there, and NYPD is on its way," Adams said. "And I want to say to parents, if your children are on the Columbia campus and participating in this, I think you should reach out to them. This is not what you do on a college campus."
Columbia said that those in the library who were not involved in the protest were able to leave.
“Disruptions to our academic activities will not be tolerated and are violations of our rules and policies; this is especially unacceptable while our students study and prepare for final exams,” Shipman’s statement continued. “Columbia strongly condemns violence on our campus, antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination, some of which we witnessed today. We are resolute that calls for violence or harm have no place at our University. We will continue to keep our community apprised as the situation evolves.”
Chants, including “the people united will never be defeated,” could be heard from outside the building. Protesters have begun taking over the courtyard near the library, and dozens have walked out of the library in handcuffs.
CUAD posted photos from inside the library, which included signs, canvas posters and chalk writing on desks with statements like “Free Mahmoud Khalil, Free Mohsen Mahdawi, Free All Political Prisoners,” “Strike for Gaza” and "Columbia Will Burn.”
Video from the scene shows protesters facing off with police at a barrier outside the university, and many being escorted out of the library by police.