Columbia University students occupied the campus’s great lawn Wednesday after the college president spoke about the institution’s response to antisemitism at the Ivy League institution.
Hundreds of students and their allies rushed into the school grounds during the early hours of April 17. Setting up tents, banners, and even bringing solar-powered generators for power. The group supporting Palestine says they plan on keeping their feet dug in place until the university divests from partnering with entities supporting Israel in the ongoing Middle Eastern War.
Although their numbers dwindled as the hours wore on, some 70-80 people still remain camped on the lawn at around 4 p.m. Hundreds more marched in large strides around the perimeter chanting and brandishing signs.
Students who are participating in the demonstration say they have been threatened with suspension and expulsion. The school’s campus security have also been positioned at entrances to the lawn in what they are calling an intimidation tactic to prevent more students from joining the protest.
Meanwhile, outside Columbia, security officers are demanding students to show ID to enter the grounds. Members of the press are not being permitted inside.
The protest occurred as Columbia University President Minouche Shafik testified before a House Committee on Capitol Hill Wednesday after being probed on reports ranging from harassment to assault occurring on the campus all stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict.
During the hearing, Dr. Shafik stated that the school’s administration will be reevaluating their policies regarding antisemitism and the punishment to follow those accused of racist behavior while ensuring that First Amendment freedom of speech is not infringed upon.
