Protests at Columbia University continued Monday, and while demonstrators on campus kept things relatively peaceful, chaos unfolded on the streets, leading to several arrests.
The pro-Palestine encampment on the lawn of Columbia University was relatively calm on the afternoon of April 22. For several professors and those who were present during the protests that first occurred in the university’s campus, the civil disobedience was almost like a time portal that whisks its occupants to the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, where those planting their feet in the worn grass offer up a “what’s-mine-is-yours” mentality.
amNewYork Metro and other journalists were permitted access by Columbia University to the school grounds for two hours during Monday afternoon. Some members of the encampment distributed food and offered performances, while others lazily lounged in the sun — but throughout the visit, amNewYork Metro did not observe any overt signs of the antisemitism that had been reported in recent days.
While things remained calm and tranquil on the inside, that couldn’t be said for the scene outside the campus.
At the 115th Street and Broadway entrance to Columbia, dueling protesters championing both Palestine and Israel boisterously gathered for their respective causes throughout the day.
At about noon, those looking to show their support for the students assembled, with some chanting and banging drums. Within minutes, the NYPD made several arrests, seemingly for failing to heed the cops’ commands to stop.
Meanwhile, those waving the blue-and-white colors of Israel, rebuked their counterparts, going as far as to call them terrorists.
Professors aid encampments
Two hours later, professors from Columbia University stood in support of their students, denouncing the decision for the college to demand the NYPD make mass arrests last week while also calling for President Minouche Shafik’s resignation.
“The decision to send the riot police to pick up peaceful protesters on our campus was unprecedented, unjustified, disproportionate, divisive, and dangerous. We are fortunate that no one was hurt,” Professor Christopher Brown told a group of hundreds. “She [Shafik] allowed slander of our institution to stand without rebuke — no response. I know these folks, you know them too. That’s not who we are.”
Meanwhile, at the camp itself, students say they are grateful for the support by teachers, while also stating that morale remains high as the days wear on. Even so, one student said she would like to see even more action taken on behalf of the staff.
“I still think the professors in the administration need to step up way more than they have. I want to hear professors’ names, I want more of those letters. I think that it’s good to see but students are getting arrested, people are getting arrested. These students still do not have their suspensions lifted,” 25-year-old Safia told amNewYork Metro. “There’s still the threat of suspension for the rest of the students here. I want to make sure that the professors are fighting for their own students.”
NYPD response
The NYPD also chimed in amidst the list of growing voices on the situation that has swiftly grown into national news.
Deputy Commissioner Michael Gerber reminded the public that Columbia University is private property and they can not step foot on the grounds unless there is a serious emergency or if the college themselves requests them to move in.
“We cannot just go on the Columbia campus as we see fit. It is up to the university to decide whether or not they want us on campus. As a general matter, Columbia University and this goes back many years does not want NYPD present on campus. That is their decision,” Gerber stated.
While professors have demanded there be oversight meeting before police are called on campus again, Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry also pledged Monday to keep the streets surrounding the campus safe.
