Columbia University is currently facing a tense standoff with a group of students who have occupied one of its campus buildings in solidarity with Gaza. The protesters, who have been on campus for nearly two weeks, were threatened with academic suspension and expulsion from their dorms if they did not leave the remaining 80 tents on Monday.
In response, a group of protesters barricaded themselves inside the Hamilton Hall building on Tuesday, wearing hoods and masks to avoid being identified. The White House, which had previously remained silent on the issue, spoke out on Tuesday, condemning the takeover of the building as an “absolutely wrong approach” that was not an example of peaceful protests. Similar protests have taken place at other American universities, resulting in dozens of arrests.
Columbia’s authorities are trying to avoid resorting to police intervention to evict the campers, as they believe it violates university policy and disrupts normal operations. After the occupation began, the university closed all entrances except one and limited entry to essential personnel and students living in residence halls. Those inside the building were threatened with expulsion.
The students occupying Hind Hall demand that Columbia withdraw all investments from companies linked to Israel. This demand is more stringent than those made by other campuses, which only ask for disconnection from companies in the military industry. The situation at Columbia has garnered support from various human rights organizations and educational institutions who see it as an exercise of fundamental human rights.
While tensions continue to rise as graduation ceremonies approach, there have been calls for peaceful resolutions from various groups. However, the situation remains unresolved as Columbia authorities consider their next steps.
