Metro
NYPD officers stormed the Columbia University campus Tuesday night to eliminate a terrorist-supporting group that had illegally occupied the university's buildings. – and clearing out anti-Israel encampments once the school finally gives the green light.
Shortly after 9 p.m., hundreds of police officers stormed into the gates of Morningside Heights, the historic Hamilton campus occupied by rioters in an escalation of protests that have plagued the campus for weeks. I set my sights on the hole.
However, when dozens of emergency services personnel arrived at the building, they were unable to enter the main entrance, which was barricaded by an unruly mob.
Several protesters stood in doorways with only glass windows between them and the police, seemingly unfazed as their comrades in the street chanted “pigs!”
Then, in dramatic scenes, the NYPD deployed a mobile Adjustable Ramp System vehicle and dozens of officers in riot gear and zip ties entered Hamilton Hall through a second-story window. .
Officials said police used four distraction devices (described by Deputy Chief Carlos Nieves as “very loud noises to distract people”) to enter the school building.
Within about an hour, the university building was evacuated and dozens of occupiers were arrested, police officials said.
Protesters, many with their faces hidden by surgical masks or keffiyeh, walked out of Hamilton Hall and loaded onto three NYPD buses.
Several demonstrators continued to shout anti-Israel sentiments, and at least one person was seen crying.
Officers also took up positions in front of off-campus housing and were greeted by hostile chants of “NYPD, KKK, IOF!” Everyone is the same! ”
Columbia University released a statement just 15 minutes after officers entered campus, saying it “regrets” that it had to rely on police to clear up the chaos.
“After the university learned that Hamilton Hall had been occupied, vandalized, and locked down overnight, we had no choice. Columbia Public Safety personnel were removed from the building and members of our facilities team has been threatened. We will not jeopardize the safety of our community or the possibility of further escalation,” the administration said.
The NYPD then moved quickly to the campus' South Lawn and removed student protesters from the mini-tent city, which remained in place despite an eviction deadline set by the university the previous day. Ta.
“The people who were in the camp are now gone,” Nieves said.
He added that the only things left on the lawn Tuesday night were camping tents and protesters' belongings, which will be removed by the university.
NYPD Deputy Chief of Operations Kaz Daughtry told the Post that the hectic operation “went very well.”
Sources said a total of about 100 protesters were arrested in the large-scale sweep.
Arrests continued for several hours after both the building and encampment were cleared, and included those off campus.
The NYPD announced early Tuesday that the occupants of Hamilton Hall will be charged with third-degree robbery, criminal mischief and trespassing, and those camping on the lawn will be charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct. announced.
Despite the crowd dispersing on Tuesday, the NYPD will remain on Columbia University's campus until the university's commencement ceremony on May 15, officials told the Post.
The Ivy League school announced the NYPD decided to intervene early Tuesday, hours before Police Chief Edward Caban instructed officers to be ready to respond to calls. did.
“The decision to contact the NYPD was in response to the actions of the protesters and not the cause they were championing,” the official continued.
“We have made it clear that campus life cannot be indefinitely disrupted by demonstrators who violate rules and laws.”
The NYPD had been called in to storm the campus hours earlier, and about 100 officers from the NYPD's Emergency Services Unit were crammed onto a bus and headed to Columbia in preparation for a rescue call from the university, officials said. he told the Post.
Dozens of other people wearing riot gear and carrying zip-tie handcuffs crowded the street corner, apparently waiting for the go-ahead.
The NYPD blocked pedestrian and vehicular traffic at 114th Street and Broadway, while spectators chanted, “Shame, shame, shame!”
Approximately 45 minutes before New York City police stormed the campus, Columbia University ordered students to shelter in place due to “increased activity” on its Morningside campus, and students who did not comply would be subject to “disciplinary action.” he warned.
The university's chapter of the American Association of University Professors issued a scathing statement as police mobilized, accusing Columbia University officials of ignoring faculty members' offers to “defuse the situation.”
“We hold the university's leadership accountable for the disastrous errors in judgment that led us to this point. will be held responsible for any injuries that may occur,” the group said.
For updates on the anti-Israel protests at Columbia University, follow the Post's live blog
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban confirmed early Tuesday that the department would swoop in if necessary, as it did two weeks ago when student protesters first set up a mini-tent city.
“If the university asks us for assistance, the NYPD will assist immediately,” Caban emphasized.
Meanwhile, New York City police officials said Tuesday that the group of masked agitators who stormed Hamilton Hall in the middle of the night included “professional outside agitators” unaffiliated with Colombia or the pro-Palestinian cause. I made it.
Follow The Post's coverage of anti-terrorism protests at Columbia University.
The group displayed escalation tactics seen at previous rallies, including dragging metal barricades into buildings, using furniture to block doors, and vandalizing buildings.
“Based on a series of observations, we believe that what should be peaceful protest as part of Americans' constitutional rights is clearly being used by this administration to take advantage of the rights it supports and defends to address your concerns.” “We were fully aware that we were expressing this,” Adams said. He said.
After Columbia University threatened to suspend students who did not leave, the group built a building they named “Hind Hall” in honor of Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old Palestinian girl killed in the Middle East conflict. Occupied. They had taken up camp almost two weeks ago.
Anti-Semitism Controversy at Columbia University: Key Events
On April 17, anti-Israel demonstrators set up dozens of tents in solidarity with the Palestinian people, quickly igniting a movement that became a trend in the Big Apple and at elite universities across the country.
Hundreds of students, including “Squad” member Rep. Ilhan Omar's daughter, were arrested on trespassing charges the next day as the Ivy League school called on the NYPD to remove rioters from its campus. , was indicted.
Columbia University issued a suspension and the senior students were disqualified from graduating next month, but the crowd returned within just 24 hours.
The administration once again attempted to force the unruly students from the premises, but was unable to quell the destructive demonstrations for several hours.
Passengers on the bus were on standby in case the rebellion worsened, but ultimately no intervention was called for.