Columbia University cancels all in-person classes as protests dominate campus ... trends now
Columbia University has cancelled all in-person classes on Monday amid escalating anti-Israel protests that have sparked fear in Jewish students - and a warning from a rabbi.
It comes after New York City police removed a pro-Palestinian protest encampment at the Ivy League school on Thursday and arrested more than 100 demonstrators, including the daughter of Minnesota representative Ilhan Omar.
In an email to students announcing virtual learning for Monday, Columbia president Minouche Shafik said she was 'saddened' by the situation on campus, and that the school 'needed a reset' following the chaos.
Shakif said tensions have been 'exploited and amplified by individuals who are not affiliated with Columbia who have come to campus to pursue their own agendas.'
The president added: 'I understand that many are experiencing deep moral distress and want Columbia to help alleviate this by taking action. We should be having serious conversations about how Columbia can contribute
Democratic Mayor Eric Adams previously said the city was asked in writing by university officials to remove the encampment.
Columbia university has cancelled all in-person classes on Monday amid escalating anti-Israel protests that have sparked fear in Jewish students
In an email to students announcing virtual learning for Monday, Columbia president Minouche Shafik said the school 'needed a reset' following the chaos on campus
Video from last week shows pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrators clashing outside of the school as one woman screams, 'We are Hamas!'
'Students have a right to free speech, but do not have a right to violate university policies and disrupt learning on campus,' Adams said on Sunday night.
'I am horrified and disgusted with the antisemitism being spewed at and around the Columbia University campus. Hate has no place in our city, and I have instructed the NYPD to investigate any violation of law they receive a report about and will arrest anyone found to be breaking the law,' Adams said on Sunday night.
'I do, however, want to be abundantly clear: Columbia University is a private institution on private property, which means the NYPD cannot have a presence on campus unless specifically requested by senior university officials. For the safety of all New Yorkers, I urge Columbia’s senior administration officials to improve and maintain an open line of communication with the NYPD to ensure the safety of all students and staff on campus.
'The NYPD has an increased presence of officers situated around the campus to protect students and all New Yorkers on public streets, and they stand ready to respond if a request is made by the university, like was done this past Thursday.'
The students had been protesting on campus since early Wednesday, opposing Israeli military action in Gaza and demanding the school divest from companies they claim 'profit from Israeli apartheid.'
Rabbi Elie Buechler of the Columbia/Barnard Hillel issued the grim warning to students on Sunday morning
Buechler encouraged students to consider staying home, writing, 'It is not our job as Jews to ensure our own safety on campus'
The daughter of Minnesota representative Ilhan Omar was one of the students arrested at the protest
Columbia’s president Nemat Shafik issued a statement saying the school had warned protesters on Wednesday that they would be suspended if the encampment was not removed. School officials made the decision Thursday to call in police and clear out the demonstrators, she said.
'The individuals who established the encampment violated a long list of rules and policies,' she wrote.
Shafik also said the university tried through several channels 'to engage with their concerns and offered to continue discussions if they agreed to disperse.'
The school said it was still identifying students involved in the protest Thursday and added more suspensions would be forthcoming.
Police moved in early Thursday afternoon, using zip ties to arrest protesters and escort them to waiting buses
