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The ongoing protests at Columbia University have escalated, resulting in dozens of arrests and a tense calm on campus. In an effort to avoid involving the police, the university has tried to evict a group of students who camped on campus in support of Gaza. However, the protesters remained in the 80 remaining tents on Monday. On Tuesday, a group of protesters barricaded themselves in Hamilton Hall, which has a history of lockdowns since the Vietnam War and protests in 1968.
The White House condemned the takeover of the building as an inappropriate approach to peaceful protests. The ongoing protests stem from the previous eviction of a camp two weeks ago, which resulted in a hundred arrests and sparked further mobilization across the country. After occupying the building, the university closed all entrances except one and limited entry to essential personnel and students in residence halls. The occupiers have demanded that the University withdraw its investments from companies linked to Israel. They have also renamed the building Hind Hall in memory of a Palestinian girl who died in Gaza.
As graduation ceremonies approach, NGOs, activist groups, and UN representatives have expressed support for the students’ peaceful protest. They have criticized forceful measures taken by some universities to disperse protests and dismantle camps. The university is considering its next steps carefully to avoid further unrest as graduation ceremonies approach.
Columbia University authorities are trying to avoid involving the police to evict protesters from campus as they believe it disrupts normal operations and violates university policy. However, this tactic has not deterred protesters who are determined to stay put until their demands are met.
The protests at Columbia University are part of a larger movement across America that has seen dozens of arrests due to violent clashes between protesters and police forces.
The ongoing protests stem from earlier eviction efforts that led to more than 100 arrests two weeks ago.
After taking over Hind Hall for almost two weeks, protesters continue their sit-in despite threats of academic suspension.
In response to these events, NGOs and activist groups have rallied behind students’ right to free speech while condemning violence against peaceful demonstrators.
As graduation season approaches, Columbia University is working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that safety remains paramount for everyone on campus.
