Columbia University protest photos: Police break up protest at Hamilton Hall
NYPD officers in riot gear arrived at Columbia University. (Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images)
A large number of police officers descended on Hamilton Hall at Columbia University Tuesday night, evicting protesters who had occupied the building and taking many into custody.
Tensions have flared at Columbia’s Manhattan campus for the past two weeks, since students set up a pro-Palestinian encampment and began calls for the university to divest its support for Israel.
NYPD officers stood outside the doors of Hamilton Hall as protesters were seen inside. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)
The situation intensified this week when protesters ignored a Monday deadline to disband and took control of Hamilton Hall early Tuesday. In a statement Tuesday night, Columbia University said:
“A little after 9 p.m. this evening, the NYPD arrived on campus at the University’s request. This decision was made to restore safety and order to our community.
Police at Columbia University. (David Dee Delgado/Reuters)
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.”
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Video details and more photos provided in link below.
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