Hours after cops stormed into Columbia University’s campus and ousted the pro-Palestine protesters who were taking control of an academic building, the demonstrators are now demanding authorities provide them with food.
One of the protesters later defended the demand as a “basic humanitarian aid” so that they do not die of starvation.
“We’re saying they are obligated to provide food to the students who are paying for a meal plan here,” the protester was quoted as saying by the media when asked by reporters.
“Do you want students to die of dehydration and starvation or get severely ill even if they disagree with you? If the answer is no, then you should allow basic — I mean it’s crazy to say because we are on an Ivy League campus, but this is like basic humanitarian aid we’re asking for. Like, could people please have a glass of water?” the protester was heard saying in the video where she is seen speaking with the media.
The cops cleared out the group that barged into Hamilton Hall early Tuesday morning in a drastic escalation of the protest at the Ivy League school, police sources told The New York Post.
Police reportedly made multiple arrests and loaded the demonstrators in three NYPD buses.
During the period, multiple pro-Palestine demonstrators were seen shouting slogans.
The officers also stationed themselves in front of off-campus housing and were greeted with hostile shouts of “NYPD, KKK, IOF! They’re all the same!” reported New York Post.
After the police entered the campus, university authorities issued a statement and said it “regretted” having to rely on police to clear the mess.
“After the University learned overnight that Hamilton Hall had been occupied, vandalized and blockaded, we were left with no choice. Columbia public safety personnel were forced out of the building, and a member of our facilities team was threatened. We will not risk the safety of our community or the potential for further escalation,” the administration was quoted as saying by The New York Post.
“The decision to reach out to the NYPD was in response to the actions of the protesters, not the cause they are championing,” officials continued.
“We have made it clear that the life of campus cannot be endlessly interrupted by protesters who violate the rules and the law,” the statement said.
Those arrested inside Hamilton Hall would be charged with third-degree burglary, criminal mischief and trespassing, police officials was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
Others arrested at the South Lawn’s encampment would face charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct.
The action at Columbia University took place amid large-scale anti-Israel protests taking place across several US universities.
More than 100 people were arrested at Columbia University and City College of New York on Tuesday night, according to a law enforcement official, as protests against Israel’s bombardment of Gaza intensified across college campuses nationwide, reported CNN.
Meanwhile, police arrived at the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles where clashes earlier in the day reportedly broke out between pro-Palestinian protesters and Israel supporters.
Mayor Karen Bass posted on X: “The violence unfolding this evening at UCLA is absolutely abhorrent and inexcusable. LAPD has arrived on campus.”
