Anti-Israel Protests Erupt at Columbia University, Instigators Seize and Rename Academic Building
Unrest Intensifies, Threatening Further Actions
The Columbia University campus became a scene of an intensified insurrection on Tuesday morning when anti-Israel activists stormed an academic building, barricading it and renaming it after a 6-year-old Palestinian girl who died during the Gaza conflict.
The Takeover: Hamilton Hall Becomes “Hind’s Hall”
Shortly before 1 a.m., a group of protesters gained access to Hamilton Hall, a prominent academic building named after Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. They swiftly barricaded the entrances with metal gates, furniture, and zip ties, effectively trapping themselves inside.
The group then hoisted a banner over the building, declaring its new name: “Hind’s Hall.” This name honors Hind Rajab, a Gazan child who lost her life in the military conflict between Israel and Hamas, according to a statement released by the group.
Demands and Justifications
In their statement, the protesters identified themselves as Columbia University Apartheid Divest. They demanded “reclaimed Hind’s Hall… in honor of Hind Rajab,” whom they described as a “Gazan martyr.”
Their actions were justified, they argued, as part of a legacy of student resistance movements on campus. They claimed this escalation represented the next generation of protests similar to those that occurred in 1968, 1985, and 1992.
University Response and Condemnation
Columbia University has taken a firm stance against the takeover and ruled out any divestment. The university vowed to hold the protesters accountable for their actions, which it deemed “illegal and disruptive.”
University President Minouche Shafik initially attempted to negotiate with the agitators but later called for law enforcement to sweep the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” and restore order.
Ongoing Protests and Tensions
The takeover of Hamilton Hall has been met with mixed reactions. Some students and faculty members support the protesters’ message against Israeli policies, while others denounce their tactics as unlawful and harmful.
The unrest at Columbia University underscores the growing tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict on American campuses. Former President Trump publicly condemned the anti-Israel protests, calling for an end to the unrest.
Footage and Statements from the Scene
Footage of the incident captured protesters smashing windows, unfurling a Palestinian flag over a window, and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans. The agitators vowed to remain in occupation of the building until the university meets their demands.
Outside Hamilton Hall, protesters formed a human barricade by linking their arms, vowing to remain until their demands were met.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
