On Wednesday evening, the New York Police Department (NYPD) arrested dozens of pro-Palestinian activists who had occupied a section of the main library building on Columbia University’s campus. This confrontation marked the conclusion of a prolonged standoff, occurring nearly a year after student-led anti-war protests swept through the prestigious Ivy League institution.
Claire Shipman, the acting president of Columbia University, issued a statement confirming that she had requested police assistance to clear the building after protesters ignored warnings of potential disciplinary actions and arrests for trespassing. A spokesperson for the NYPD reported multiple arrests of individuals who refused to disperse from the occupied area.
Footage shared online by the student activist group Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) captured the NYPD entering the Butler library reading room, where protesters had locked arms and chanted, “We have nothing to lose but our chains!” Earlier in the day, masked activists, many adorned with the iconic black-and-white checkered keffiyeh—a symbol of Palestinian liberation—had taken over the main room on the second floor of the library. They renamed the space to “the Basel Al-Araj Popular University,” and some activists stood on desks with bullhorns, while others displayed a sign reading “strike for Gaza.”
The protesters distributed pamphlets urging the university to divest from funds and businesses they claim benefit from Israel’s invasion of Gaza. Their statement emphasized their determination, asserting, “We will not be useless intellectuals. Palestine is our compass, and we stand strong in the face of violent oppression.”
Initially, campus public safety officers attempted to resolve the situation by warning activists of potential disciplinary action and arrest if they did not leave. According to reports, a physical confrontation ensued between the activists and security personnel, resulting in injuries to two public safety officers. Protesters claimed they were “kettled” and trapped inside the library.
New York Mayor Eric Adams described the protest as “unacceptable” during an interview with a local NBC affiliate. He later confirmed he had received a written request from the university for police backup. Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed gratitude to public safety officials for ensuring student safety while reiterating that peaceful protest is a fundamental right. She condemned violence, vandalism, and destruction of property as completely unacceptable.
This protest occurs during a sensitive time for Columbia University, which is currently facing scrutiny from the Trump administration over its handling of student protests related to the Gaza conflict last spring. The administration has accused the university of failing to safeguard Jewish students from antisemitism, resulting in a cancellation of $400 million in federal research funding. In light of these cuts, the university recently announced a series of layoffs.
Last spring, Columbia saw a wave of protests, including a significant encampment and occupation of Hamilton Hall, leading to numerous arrests and inspiring similar demonstrations at universities nationwide. Since those events, Columbia has undergone several leadership changes, including the resignation of its interim president in March, who complied with most of the Trump administration's demands—sparking outrage among faculty and critics who argued that the university compromised its independence and academic freedom.
