NEW YORK: New York City officers, in large numbers, began entering Columbia University late on Tuesday while numerous pro-Palestinian protesters continued to stay on the campus .
The protesters had taken over Columbia University's Hamilton Hall several hours ago after establishing a camp earlier in the month. Students defiantly erected tents once more after authorities removed a camp at the university on April 18 and detained over 100 individuals.
Dozens of protesters took over a building at the University, barricading entrances and unfurling a Palestinian flag from a window in the latest escalation of demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war on college campuses across the US.
The students had been demonstrating at the Manhattan campus since the day before, expressing opposition to Israeli military operations in Gaza and calling for the university to disinvest from companies they allege are benefiting from the conflict.
Protests have spread to campuses from California to Massachusetts as May commencement ceremonies near, putting added pressure on schools to clear protesters.
The school promised they would face expulsion. The occupation at Columbia — where protesters shrugged off an ultimatum to abandon a tent encampment Monday or be suspended — unfolded as other universities stepped up efforts to clear out encampments.
Dozens of people were arrested Monday during protests at universities in Texas, Utah, Virginia and New Jersey. At the University of Texas, 79 involved in the Monday protest were jailed.
In a rare case, Northwestern University reached a deal with student protesters on its campus near Chicago. It allows peaceful protests through the end of spring classes in exchange for some concessions.
The protesters had taken over Columbia University's Hamilton Hall several hours ago after establishing a camp earlier in the month. Students defiantly erected tents once more after authorities removed a camp at the university on April 18 and detained over 100 individuals.
Dozens of protesters took over a building at the University, barricading entrances and unfurling a Palestinian flag from a window in the latest escalation of demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war on college campuses across the US.
The students had been demonstrating at the Manhattan campus since the day before, expressing opposition to Israeli military operations in Gaza and calling for the university to disinvest from companies they allege are benefiting from the conflict.
Protests have spread to campuses from California to Massachusetts as May commencement ceremonies near, putting added pressure on schools to clear protesters.
The school promised they would face expulsion. The occupation at Columbia — where protesters shrugged off an ultimatum to abandon a tent encampment Monday or be suspended — unfolded as other universities stepped up efforts to clear out encampments.
Dozens of people were arrested Monday during protests at universities in Texas, Utah, Virginia and New Jersey. At the University of Texas, 79 involved in the Monday protest were jailed.
In a rare case, Northwestern University reached a deal with student protesters on its campus near Chicago. It allows peaceful protests through the end of spring classes in exchange for some concessions.
