During the past couple of months, encampments have exploded on college campuses. One of the most visible of these protests occurred at Columbia University in New York City. Below please find a timeline of the events at Columbia University that led to these developments.
Columbia University has been at the center of intense protests related to the Israel-Gaza war. Here’s a timeline of events below:
Protests Begin:
On April 17, student protesters opposing Israel’s war in Gaza set up encampments throughout Columbia University’s campus.
The group Columbia University Apartheid Divest, representing over 100 student groups, called for the university to financially divest from companies and institutions profiting from “Israeli apartheid, genocide, and occupation in Palestine.”
Tensions escalated as the conflict in the Middle East continued, with significant loss of life on both sides
Protest Encampment:
Student activists established a protest encampment on the university lawn, voicing their opposition to the war in Gaza.
They believe that the ongoing conflict amounts to “genocide” of Palestinians.
Jewish Voices for Peace at Columbia expressed solidarity, emphasizing their commitment to standing against oppression and injustice
Protests and Occupation:
The encampment inspired similar campaigns in schools across the United States and globally.
Students pitched tents and camped out in the center of Columbia’s central campus, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and urging the university to financially divest from Israel.
In response, Columbia’s president, Minouche Shafik, issued a stark warning
Congressional Testimony:
On the same day as the protests, Columbia President Shafik testified before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
The committee has been investigating antisemitism on college campuses.
Takeover of Hamilton Hall:
On April 29, 2024, protesters entered Hamilton Hall, a building previously occupied by students in 1968 during the Vietnam War protests and in 1985 during the apartheid divestment movement.
Tens of student protesters gathered, linking arms outside Hamilton Hall, effectively barricading the entrance with zip-tied picnic tables, chairs, trash cans, and planters.
The occupation continued despite security concerns and previous protests against investments linked to Israel.
At Columbia, dozens of police officers swarmed the campus and broke up the encampment where pro-Palestinian demonstrators had slept overnight. The protesters were demanding that the university divest from companies and interests that support Israel.
By Thursday afternoon, at least 108 people had been arrested during the police operation.
The NYPD cleared the tent city as part of an operation to stop the student occupation of Hamilton Hall.
Notably, Columbia University’s handling of the situation has sparked discussions about how schools can balance free expression, safety, and dialogue on campus.
Diploma Protest:
During the university’s graduation ceremony, a Columbia social work graduate named Tarsis Salome ripped up her diploma on stage as a pro-Palestinian protest.This act was part of the broader demonstrations calling for divestment from Israel