Europe Asia News

On Wednesday, New York police were called to end a student protest at Columbia University, where demonstrators had taken over the main library building on campus.

In a statement, the university said: “Due to the involvement of many individuals in incidents inside and outside the building, a large group attempting to enter Butler Library, the resulting public safety risk, and what we believe to be a significant presence of individuals not affiliated with the university, Columbia took the necessary action to request assistance from the New York Police Department to ensure the safety of the building and our community.”

Protesters opposing Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip had hung Palestinian flags on the library walls. Columbia University President Claire Shipman said two security officers were injured during the protesters’ storming of the library. She also noted that most of the protesters were not university students.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on the social media platform X, “We are reviewing the visas of the attackers and vandals who took over Columbia University’s library. Beavers supporting Hamas are no longer welcome in our great country.”

New York police confirmed that the protesters were taken into custody after refusing to leave the building but did not say how many were arrested.

Columbia University had also called the police in April 2024, when protesters against the Gaza war occupied the university’s Hamilton Hall building for nearly 24 hours.