Columbia University Student Protesters Defy Midnight Deadline, Campus Tensions Rise
In a dramatic turn of events, a midnight deadline set by Columbia University for student protesters to disband their encampment passed without police intervention, leaving campus life in turmoil and challenging school leadership.
The university had initially set the deadline for the protesters to clear the lawn, but as the clock struck midnight, there were no signs of police moving in to quell the pro-Palestinian demonstration. Some protesters began dismantling their tents and moving belongings into nearby buildings, while others vowed to continue their protest.
Amidst the uncertainty, word spread that the deadline had been extended to Wednesday morning, prompting some to move their tents back onto the campus lawn while others left the area. Police officers were present outside the campus but did not engage with the protesters.
This standoff comes after Columbia’s president enlisted city police to arrest over 100 activists who had refused to leave a previous encampment of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, sparking criticism from various quarters. The subsequent re-emergence of a larger encampment has further escalated tensions on campus.
As the deadline loomed, student organizers read out a letter from the university threatening police action, leading to discussions among protesters about potential arrests. A student group, suspended by the university, claimed that administrators had threatened to call in the National Guard, though the governor’s office denied any such plans.
The unrest at Columbia is part of a broader wave of campus demonstrations against the war in Gaza, with similar incidents reported at other prestigious institutions. Administrators are grappling with balancing free speech rights with the need to protect all students, particularly Jewish students who have faced threats and hate speech during some protests.
Faculty members at Columbia have circulated a resolution to censure the president for her handling of the protests, while a major Jewish donor has cut off support, citing concerns about student safety.
In response to the escalating tensions, Speaker Mike Johnson announced plans to meet with Jewish students at Columbia to address the rise of antisemitism on college campuses. The situation remains fluid as the campus community navigates the aftermath of the missed deadline and the ongoing protests.
