New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed gratitude towards the police for their efforts in quelling the protest at Columbia University and issued a warning about a global trend of radicalizing young individuals during a press conference on Wednesday.
Mayor Adams confirmed that approximately 300 individuals were arrested at Columbia University and the City College of New York following the events that unfolded overnight. He highlighted that the peaceful protests were infiltrated by outside agitators, leading to a shift in the nature of the demonstrations towards sentiments of antisemitism and anti-Israel attitudes.
Addressing the media, Mayor Adams emphasized that even though the majority of the participants may have been students, a minority group can significantly influence and co-opt the overall operation. He underscored the importance of safeguarding the city against external influences that seek to exploit and manipulate young people.
The mayor underscored the urgency of addressing the global issue of radicalizing youth, stating, 'There is a movement to radicalize young people, and I'm not going to wait until it's too late to acknowledge its existence. This is a pervasive problem where professionals are adept at radicalizing our children, and as the mayor of New York City, I will not allow this to happen.'
