Pro-Palestinian Protest at Columbia University Turns Violent as NYPD Intervenes

A pro-Palestinian protest at Columbia University’s Butler Library turned violent on Wednesday, prompting university officials to request assistance from the New York Police Department. Multiple individuals were taken into custody after protesters occupied the library and refused to disperse, despite warnings from university officials and police. The protesters, who are demanding that the university divest from companies with ties to Israel, had barricaded themselves inside the library and were chanting “Free Palestine.”
The situation escalated when a crowd surge occurred, injuring two university safety officers. NYPD officers in riot gear responded to the scene, escorting protesters out of the building in zip ties and taking them to a waiting bus. Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that the NYPD was entering the campus to remove individuals who were trespassing. The university has stated that those found in violation of university rules and policies will face disciplinary consequences.
The protest is part of a larger wave of demonstrations on college campuses across the country, sparked by pro-Palestinian activists. The university has been under pressure from the Trump administration to crack down on antisemitism on campus, and the recent protest has drawn criticism from officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said they are reviewing the visa status of the trespassers and vandals involved.