About 300 Pro-Palestinian Protesters Arrested at NYC Universities, Mayor Adams Blames 'Outside Agitators'

Around 300 people, including 109 at Columbia University and 173 at City College of New York, were arrested by the NYPD on Monday after the universities requested assistance to clear pro-Palestinian protesters who had occupied campus buildings and set up encampments, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The universities cited safety concerns and property damage as reasons for calling in the police.

The NYPD said the arrests were necessary due to the intensification of activity, including vandalism, property damage, and attempts to block access to the buildings. "There is a movement to radicalize young people," Mayor Adams stated. "I will not allow it to happen."

At Columbia University, protesters had barricaded the entrances to Hamilton Hall and unfurled a Palestinian flag, leading to a standoff with the university. The police used a massive armored vehicle to push a bridge into a window of the building and quickly retake it. While the mayor praised the police for showing restraint, many students and onlookers criticized the excessive use of force.

The police action at Columbia happened on the 56th anniversary of a similar move to quash an occupation of Hamilton Hall by students protesting racism and the Vietnam War in 1968. The nationwide campus protests began at Columbia in response to Israel's offensive in Gaza after Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israel.

At City College, the NYPD was called in to quell protests where 25 individuals were initially arrested by CUNY public safety staff before the crowd grew in size. The protesters were demanding the CUNY system divest from Israel, guarantee amnesty for student anti-war protesters, and make CUNY tuition-free.

Why this matters: The arrests and police crackdown mark an escalation in tensions between authorities and pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses across the U.S. The universities are grappling with how to handle the demonstrations as commencement ceremonies approach, with some continuing negotiations and others turning to force, resulting in clashes with police.

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik said her first responsibility is safety and that she made the decision to ask the NYPD to intervene. "The occupation of Hamilton Hall and the escalating tensions on campus left me no choice but to call in the police, as my first responsibility is safety," Shafik explained. The Manhattan District Attorney's office said it will review the cases of those arrested and determine the appropriate charges.

Key Takeaways

• Around 300 pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at Columbia and CCNY campuses
• Universities cited safety concerns and property damage as reasons for police intervention
• NYPD used force to retake occupied buildings, drawing criticism for excessive use of force
• Protests began in response to Israel's offensive in Gaza, demanding divestment and tuition reform
• Arrests mark escalation in tensions between authorities and pro-Palestinian protesters on campuses