The New York City Police Department released footage Tuesday night of its raid inside a Columbia University building after being given permission to take it back from anti-Israel agitators. Hamilton Hall, which was overtaken late Monday night, was cleared at around 11 p.m. Tuesday after a nearly two-hour operation by NYPD officers, most of whom were in riot gear. The encampment on campus was also cleared of agitators, only their tents remained when the raid was over.
Officers moved in on the occupied building at 9 p.m. Tuesday after leadership at Columbia requested their assistance. The NYPD Deputy Commissioner stated that Columbia had requested their help due to disturbing acts of violence, intimidation, and property destruction on campus.
Footage from the raid showed officers climbing ladders to enter Hamilton Hall through second-floor windows. Inside the building, short video clips released by the NYPD showed officers moving barricades and breaking into locked rooms. The NYPD used distraction devices to clear the agitators out of Hamilton Hall, but tear gas was not deployed.
There were no reports of violence or injuries during the raid, and an arrest total was not available Tuesday night. Columbia University defended its decision to call the NYPD for backup in regaining control of Hamilton Hall. The university stated that the building was taken over by individuals not affiliated with the university, who vandalized property and trespassed.
Due to serious safety concerns, Columbia had no choice but to seek help from the NYPD after the building was occupied. The escalating violence of anti-Israel agitators at Columbia prompted the university to request the NYPD's presence on campus through at least May 17, two days past graduation.
