Riot Police Deployed at Columbia University as Deadline Extended for Student Protesters

Riot police have been deployed at Columbia University as the administration extended the deadline for student demonstrators protesting the university's campus expansion to vacate occupied buildings. The protesters, led by the Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine group, had set up a tent encampment on the campus lawn, demanding the school divest from companies with ties to Israel.

The university initially set a midnight deadline on Tuesday for the protesters to dismantle the encampment, but later extended it by 48 hours after "important progress" in discussions with student representatives. The protesters have agreed to remove some tents and ensure that only enrolled students remain on the encampment. However, the student negotiating team has refused to return to the table unless the administration commits to not using law enforcement to clear the campus.

The ongoing protests have caused disruptions on campus, with the university announcing plans to move classes to a hybrid format for the rest of the spring semester. The controversy has also led some alumni, including New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, to withdraw their support for the university.

Why this matters: The protests at Columbia University reflect a broader wave of demonstrations at universities across the US, with students calling for schools to cut financial ties with Israel and divest from companies enabling the conflict with Hamas. The situation highlights the challenges university leaders face in balancing campus safety with free speech rights.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) visited the university and called for the resignation of the institution's president, Minouche Shafik, amid accusations of antisemitism during the protests. Johnson said he met with Shafik and other officials, urging them to take immediate action to restore order on the campus, which he described as "dangerous" and a threat to free expression. The university declined to respond to Johnson's call for Shafik's resignation.

Some Jewish students have reported feeling unsafe on campus due to the protests, especially during the Passover holiday. Father Roger Landry, the university's Catholic chaplain, expressed concern over the protests, which he says feature pro-Hamas slogans and calls for the elimination of the State of Israel. "The university's educational mission and the safety of its students must be prioritized over allowing the protests to control the campus," Landry stated.

As of April 25, 2024, the protests at Columbia University continue, with riot police staged around the campus. The university has warned that encampments violate policies and participants could face disciplinary action. Similar protests and clashes with police have occurred at other prestigious universities across the country, including the University of Southern California, the University of Texas at Austin, and New York University.

Key Takeaways

• Riot police deployed at Columbia University as protesters refuse to vacate occupied buildings.
• Protesters demand university divest from companies with ties to Israel, causing campus disruptions.
• Some Jewish students feel unsafe, while Catholic chaplain expresses concerns over pro-Hamas slogans.
• House Speaker calls for university president's resignation amid accusations of antisemitism during protests.
• Similar protests and clashes with police occur at other prestigious universities across the US.