NYPD cops dressed in riot gear have stormed through the window of a Columbia University building to flush out dozens of pro-Palestine protesters barricaded within.
Cops flooded the Ivy League campus in New York City and made a push toward Hamilton Hall, which students violently took over early Tuesday.
Protesters were allowed to give up and leave campus or return to their dorms as police surrounded the university, or be arrested if they refused. University administrators asked the NYPD to maintain a presence on campus until at least May 17, with graduation ceremonies scheduled for May 15. In a statement, the university said the decision to call in police was, 'made to restore safety and order to our community'.
'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.' Students were warned non-compliance 'may result in further discipline' as officers clad in riot gear descended
'Sadly, this dangerous decision followed more than a week of what had been productive discussions with representatives of the West Lawn encampment. But the move was condemned by the Columbia University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, which said its members had been locked out of campus.
At a press conference prior to the raid, Assistant Commissioner Rebecca Weiner warned the protest had been co-opted by external agitators who were not affiliated with the university.
News Hamas Israel US Congress New York
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NYPD Officers Enter Columbia University Campus After Protesters Occupy BuildingLarge numbers of New York City police officers began entering the Columbia University as dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters remained on the campus.
Read more »
Trump gag order hearing; Columbia pro-Palestine protestsOur daily political update, featuring the stories that matter
Read more »
Columbia staff protest after NYPD was called in to clear pro-Gaza campLeon Cooperman did not hold back while addressing the protests at the Ivy League school.
Read more »
Don't negotiate with terrorists! MAUREEN CALLAHAN demands: Defund the Ivy League NOW... before this...Pro-Palestine activist shouts 'We are all Hamas, pigs' at Columbia's 'Gaza Solidarity Camp' protests.
Read more »
Don't negotiate with terrorists! MAUREEN CALLAHAN demands: Defund the Ivy League NOW... before this...Pro-Palestine activist shouts 'We are all Hamas, pigs' at Columbia's 'Gaza Solidarity Camp' protests.
Read more »
Don't negotiate with terrorists! MAUREEN CALLAHAN demands: Defund the Ivy League NOW... before this...Pro-Palestine activist shouts 'We are all Hamas, pigs' at Columbia's 'Gaza Solidarity Camp' protests.
Read more »