NYPD arrests dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators after Columbia library protest
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Police push back protesters as they gather outside of Columbia University's Butler Library on May 7 in New York City. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
At least 80 people were detained Wednesday after Columbia University called in the police during a pro-Palestinian protest, the New York Police Department told Axios.
The big picture: Demonstrators occupied part of the university's main library, in resemblance to protests last spring that saw Columbia become the epicenter of nationwide campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war.
- Tensions have been rising since the Trump administration in recent weeks pulled some $400 million in federal funding from the university over allegations of antisemitism on campus and federal agents arrested a Columbia protest leader.
The latest: Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday night he's "reviewing the visa status" of the Columbia pro-Palestinian protesters.
- The NYPD said Thursday that 80 people "who did not comply with verbal warnings" to disperse were taken into custody the night prior. 78 of them were issued an order to appear in court and two were issued summonses.
Driving the news: The NYPD said in an emailed statement Wednesday evening it responded to the campus at the "direct request" of the university as individuals occupied Columbia's Butler Library and were accused of trespassing.
- Two Columbia public safety officers sustained injuries, said Claire Shipman, newly appointed acting president of Columbia, in a statement.
- The university requested NYPD's presence "due to the number of individuals participating in the disruption inside and outside of the building, a large group of people attempting to force their way into Butler Library creating a safety hazard, and what we believe to be the significant presence of individuals not affiliated with the University," Shipman said.
Zoom in: A campus protest movement, Columbia University Apartheid Divest, said on social media that it occupied the library to "show that as long as Columbia funds and profits from imperialist violence, the people will continue to disrupt Columbia's profits and legitimacy."
What they're saying: "Disruptions to our academic activities will not be tolerated and are violations of our rules and policies," Shipman said.
- "Columbia strongly condemns violence on our campus, antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination, some of which we witnessed today," she added.
- New York City Mayor Eric Adams said on X that while the city "will always defend the right to peaceful protest," it "will never tolerate lawlessness."
The Trump administration's Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism said in a Thursday statement it was "encouraged" by Shipman's "strong and resolute statement regarding the unlawful, violent and disgraceful takeover of Butler Library."
- It added, "She has stepped in to lead Columbia at a critical juncture and has met the moment with fortitude and conviction
- The news release noted that the task force took "early action" at the university because of what it called a "record of failures."
In photos: Scenes from Wednesday's protest at Columbia
More from Axios:
- UW suspends 21 students after protest arrests
- Trump admin cracks down on pro-Palestinian protests at colleges
Editor's note: This story was updated with a statement from the NYPD.
