Columbia University issued a statement in response to reports that officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) had begun a raid on the campus.
“A little after 9 p.m. this evening, the NYPD arrived on campus at the University’s request,” the statement from the university said. “This decision was made to restore safety and order to our community.”
NYPD officers dressed in riot gear were recorded preparing to move into Columbia University, hours after anti-Israel protests had seized control of Hamilton Hall, an academic building on campus.
Anti-Israel protesters were captured on video smashing the glass doors of the building, bringing barricades inside, and hanging pro-Palestinian banners from the windows.
In the aftermath of the protesters’ occupation of the building, Columbia University announced that it was restricting access to the campus for the remainder of the spring semester.
#BREAKING Police MOVE IN TO COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, Raid has begun. pic.twitter.com/SCWZOPDuw5
— Oliya Scootercaster (@ScooterCasterNY) May 1, 2024
The statement from the university continued:
We regret that protesters have chosen to escalate the situation through their actions. After the University learned overnight that Hamilton Hall had been occupied, vandalized, and blockaded, we were left with no choice. 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.
NYPD officers were seen removing several protesters and making arrests.
🚨 – The NYPD have begun arresting protestors and agitators at Columbia University.
Tactical units have also entered to clear out portions of the campus that have been barricaded. pic.twitter.com/JJb6Q6iM2m
— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) May 1, 2024
Prior to the protesters taking over Hamilton Hall, Columbia University had given them a 2:00 p.m. deadline on Monday, of which to leave the encampment.