The interim president of Columbia University firmly condemned the takeover of the campus library on Wednesday after over 100 anti-Israel protesters stormed it, leading to numerous arrests and injuries to two university officers.
Claire Shipman issued a statement to the campus community Wednesday night regarding the several-hour standoff at Butler Library, calling it “entirely unacceptable.”
Protesters gathered at the library on Wednesday afternoon as students prepared for finals, reportedly to show support for Mahmoud Khalil, the alleged leader of pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia. They also persisted in demanding that the university sever financial ties with Israel.
Two groups caused “substantial chaos” and damaged the campus building while occupying one of the library’s main reading rooms and breaching the building’s front door, Shipman said, adding that the disruption left the university with “no choice” but to call the NYPD for assistance.
“I have seen how much our community wants to take back our narrative, to do what they came to Columbia to do—learn, thrive, and grow—not take over a library,” she said. “Moreover, I am deeply disturbed at the idea that, at a moment when our international community feels particularly vulnerable, a small group of students would choose to make our institution a target.”
Shipman said the “clear line between legitimate protest and actions that endanger others and disrupt” the university’s operations was crossed on Wednesday and she is confident “disciplinary proceedings will reflect the severity of the actions.”
The protest prompted a response from NYC Mayor Eric Adams, who said the city stands with Jewish New Yorkers, which includes the Jewish student population at Columbia.
“To those protesting on campus who do not attend Columbia: exit the campus immediately or you will be arrested,” Adams said. We will not tolerate hate or violence in any form in our city.”
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told Fox News that the agency was monitoring arrests made at the protest and said all suspects were to be fingerprinted to determine if any are noncitizens.
Pro-Hamas protesters walk the perimeter of Columbia University in New York City on Wednesday, hours after occupying the Butler Library. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox News Digital)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that sentiment late Wednesday night, writing on X, “We are reviewing the visa status of the trespassers and vandals who took over Columbia University’s library. Pro-Hamas thugs are no longer welcome in our great nation.”
Columbia University has been a prominent location for anti-Israel protests since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, leading to clashes between pro-Hamas and pro-Israel groups and major criticism of the raging antisemitism on campus.
