A significant protest at Columbia University has escalated, resulting in the arrest of 108 participants, including Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar.
The demonstrators, who were calling for the university to divest from Israel, clashed with counter-demonstrators, leading to police intervention.
Daily Mail reported that tensions between pro-Palestine protesters and pro-Israeli counter-demonstrators culminated in the arrests of 108 individuals, including Rep. Ilhan Omar's daughter, Isra Hirsi.
Isra Hirsi, aged 21, was among those arrested by the NYPD as officers in riot gear disbanded the "Gaza Solidarity Encampment." This protest, which began at 4 AM by setting up tents on the university's south lawn, aimed to pressure the institution to sever financial ties with Israel.
The protest lasted just over 30 hours and involved chants and the waving of flags, with protesters flooding the campus quad. The NYPD and campus security had issued multiple warnings before taking action, leading to summonses for trespassing for those involved.
Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the importance of maintaining order while respecting the right to protest. "After numerous warnings issued by campus security and the NYPD the students and those who were occupying the space, NYPD officers moved in to ensure the safety of the campus, the students and the staff," said Mayor Adams.
According to NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, the police faced significant resistance, with around 500 students participating in the protest at its peak. Some protesters even attempted to block NYPD buses from transporting those arrested.
Columbia University's president defended the intervention, citing safety and operational concerns. "I took this extraordinary step because these are extraordinary circumstances. I have determined that the encampment and related disruptions pose a clear and present danger to the substantial functioning of the University," he explained.
Isra Hirsi articulated her determination and the goals of the encampment via social media. "Those of us in Gaza Solidarity Encampment will not be intimidated. We will stand resolute until our demands are met. our demands include divestment from companies complicit in genocide, transparency of Columbia's investments and FULL amnesty for all students facing repression," she stated.
Student Layla Saliba described the police intervention as violent and targeted toward supporters of Palestinian rights. "What happened today at Columbia University was an act of violence towards Arab, Muslim, Palestinian students, Jewish students and just anybody who supports Palestinian liberation," she claimed.
Meanwhile, the protest has echoed beyond Columbia, influencing other universities. The presidents of Harvard and Yale have resigned amidst a broader discourse on campus about the Gaza conflict, linking a surge in anti-Semitic rhetoric to the ongoing strife.
Columbia's Students for Justice in Palestine criticized the police action as an act of violence. They argued that the intervention was excessive and aimed at students advocating for Palestinian liberation, further polarizing campus sentiments.
The arrest of all involved students led to immediate suspensions as the university continued to identify participants. The university president stressed the balance between free speech and maintaining campus safety, highlighting the complexity of managing peaceful protests that escalate into larger confrontations.
