Dozens The protest, which took place in and around Butler Library, is part of a broader wave of campus activism opposing Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Dozens Columbia, along with other universities, has recently come under pressure from the Trump administration, which has responded to such demonstrations by revoking hundreds of international student visas and threatening to withhold federal funding.
Dozens Columbia University requested police assistance on Wednesday evening due to the scale of the protest and escalating tensions.
Acting university president Claire Shipman stated that authorities were called in because of the large number of people disrupting the area, attempts by a group to force entry into the library, and the presence of individuals believed to be unaffiliated with the university.
The NYPD confirmed that charges are pending, though the specific allegations have not yet been disclosed.
Officers equipped with riot helmets and batons were also visible, as demonstrators outside chanted “Free Palestine.”
Another individual involved in the detainment is seen confronting the person filming, saying, “Back up!”
This latest demonstration comes nearly a year after Columbia became a focal point for pro-Palestinian campus activism, sparking nationwide protests that led to encampments and numerous arrests.
The university noted that individuals not involved in the protest were able to exit the library safely.
“Although the disruption is confined to a single room in the library, it is entirely unacceptable that some individuals are choosing to interfere with academic activities.”
Trump Administration Increases Pressure on Universities
Columbia University, along with several other campuses, has faced mounting pressure from the Trump administration in recent months.
Federal officials have demanded several reforms, including stricter enforcement of disciplinary rules, the creation of new protest regulations, a ban on face coverings during demonstrations, accountability measures for student.
The university administration also took aim at students involved in protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
During the hearing, which became tense at times, Republican members of the committee repeatedly pressed the president of Haverford College for details on disciplinary actions and investigations. However, Wendy Raymond, the college president, declined to discuss “individual cases,” which led to frustration among committee Republicans, who suggested that the university’s federal funding could be at risk.