Masked anti-Israel protesters gathered outside one of the entrances to Columbia University, chanting 'Free Palestine!' and demanding the school to 'divest from death' as students navigated their way to the first day of classes.
The protests follow a series of demonstrations that occurred at the New York City-based university last spring, resulting in over 100 arrests and garnering global media attention. The recent anti-Israel activities occurred shortly after Hamas executed six hostages, including 23-year-old Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who had been held captive since carrying out terror attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Video footage captured at least one protester being arrested, while others were seen pushing barricades and engaging in altercations. Another individual was taken into custody outside Barnard College, located across the street from Columbia.
The demonstrations initially began peacefully, with protesters circling a sidewalk near one of Columbia's entrances in Upper Manhattan. Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine expressed their stance, accusing the university of complicity in genocide due to its investments in weapons manufacturers and defense contractors like Lockheed Martin.
Carrying signs and banners, the protesters emphasized their commitment to pressuring Columbia to divest from what they perceive as apartheid and genocide. One sign read 'Long live Hind's Hall,' referencing an incident in April where an anti-Israel group occupied Hamilton Hall on campus and renamed it 'Hind’s Hall' in memory of a child who died during the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
One student highlighted the ongoing genocide in Palestine, attributing responsibility to the United States both materially and politically. The student affirmed that protests would persist until Columbia severs its ties to what they view as Israel's genocide of the Palestinian people.
