Outrage as Manhattan DA Drops Charges Against Columbia University Anti-Israel Protesters

[Social Media]

 

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office announced on Thursday that nearly all protesters charged with storming and occupying Columbia University’s campus during anti-Israel demonstrations will not face criminal charges. This decision has sparked outrage among law enforcement officials, higher education authorities, and Jewish advocates.

 

In a dramatic NYPD raid on April 30, protesters were rounded up at Columbia University's Morningside Heights campus, resulting in charges against 46 individuals for trespassing in Hamilton Hall. However, the DA's office dismissed cases against 31 of these individuals, citing insufficient evidence, such as security footage, to tie them directly to the building's takeover.

 

Michael Nussbaum, a member of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, expressed his frustration, stating, "This is turnstile justice. This is a green light for chaos, a green light for destroying property." The decision has been seen as undermining the severity of the incident and potentially encouraging similar actions in the future.

 

Assistant District Attorney Stephen Millan explained that the prosecution faced significant challenges due to "extremely limited" video surveillance. During the police raid, cameras inside Hamilton Hall were covered, making it difficult to prove any damage or specific misconduct by individuals. Additionally, the protesters wore masks, complicating identification efforts.

 

Millan also noted that none of the individuals whose charges were dropped had a criminal history, and the involvement of Columbia, Barnard, or Union Theological Seminary students and staff in the protests influenced the decision. These individuals face potential disciplinary action from their respective institutions.

 

Among those whose charges were dropped is Aidan Parisi, a 27-year-old postgraduate student in social work at Columbia. However, James Carlson, considered a "possible leader" of the protests, remains charged with hate crime, assault, and petit larceny. Carlson allegedly torched an Israel supporter’s flag and hit the individual with a rock during an April demonstration. He is also accused of destroying a camera inside a holding cell at One Police Plaza. Carlson's attorney, Moira Meltzer-Cohen, has disputed the validity of these allegations.

 

Prosecutors informed 14 other individuals, including 12 unaffiliated with the Ivy League school, that their cases would be dismissed under certain conditions. Defense attorney Matthew W. Daloisio argued for immediate dismissal, emphasizing that no one was harmed or property damaged.

 

The decision to drop charges has been met with disbelief and anger from several police sources. One officer questioned the adequacy of body-worn camera footage as evidence, while another veteran cop criticized the DA's actions as giving protesters a mandate to escalate their behavior.

 

Jeffrey Wiesenfeld, a former trustee on the governing board for CUNY, criticized the inability to identify any individuals involved in the protests. "How can it be that you can’t identify a single person? It’s not acceptable and it’s not good for the city," Wiesenfeld stated.

 

This incident highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement and judicial systems in dealing with large-scale protests and the need for clear and effective evidence to pursue criminal charges. The decision by DA Bragg’s office underscores the complexity of balancing legal standards of proof with public demands for accountability and justice.

 

 

Credit: NYP 2024-06-22

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[impulse]

Goll dang.  Even Judge Judy is calling out this nonsense:

 

Judge Judy Unloads On Alvin Bragg For Trying Trump Over ‘Nonsense’ Instead Of Keeping Criminals ‘Off The Street’

 

https://dailycaller.com/2024/06/21/judge-judy-unloads-alvin-bragg-donald-trump/

[Bkk Brian]

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

Jeffrey Wiesenfeld, a former trustee on the governing board for CUNY, criticized the inability to identify any individuals involved in the protests. "How can it be that you can’t identify a single person? It’s not acceptable and it’s not good for the city," Wiesenfeld stated.

What a farce, there's a massive amount of video footage. 

[thaipo7]

The Democrat Party in America Today

 

The Democrat Party in America Today is much like a Communist Party in other countries.  Party first, Party all powerful, the people have to have allegiance to the Party and not the country.  You think the open borders is bringing people who have allegiance to the country?  Why would they?  What do they know?  But they have allegiance to the Democrat Party.  This is a model.  It is a form of American Marxism.  Not the Chinese form.  Not the Soviet form.  Not Cuba's form.  It is the American form of Marxism.  

 

This is why the New York Post is upset with Alvin Bragg.  He is dropping almost all the cases brought on by the protestors at NY universities for the protest against Israel.  Problem is, it was an anti-Jewish riot.  All the charges of protestors storming and occupying campus buildings will not face criminal charges.  DA Alvin Bragg is dropping the charges.  Even the ones where Jewish students were harmed and afraid to go about their days at college in the US.  This drew outrage from law enforcement and Jewish advocates.  And all law abiding citizens.  31 people faced the charge of trespassing and the charges were dropped.  No one on J6 had these charges dropped.  We have people in prison today with the trespassing charge on J6.  

 

Trespassing  and violence at the universities are getting away scot-free.  Why?  Because they are Marxists and Islamist.  This is why.  Trump supporters in prison and these others are free as a bird.  Don't tell me J6 was an insurrection.  Democrat Party is the insurrection.  Executive orders, open borders, funding Iran, this is the insurrection.  This is Braggs America.  You charge not just your political opponent, but the person who is the front runner going against you political party.  The Hitler Youth, Hamas, Iran, Students for Justice in Palestine, CARE, have a special pleader in Alvin Bragg.

 

Even in his own city of Manhattan, violent anti Semitics racist, Hitler youth, Marxist, and Islamic extremist get off free.  Prosecutors say they had a lack of evidence to prosecute.  No videos of this? The police had body worn cameras. But there was no evidence. This was turnstile justice.  Then they say they wore masks.  What happened to fingerprints to identify the protestors?  Authorities could not identify anyone.

 

Again, it depends on what side of the political spectrum you are standing on.  We have given the protestors a mandate to push even harder.  Biden got what he wanted from Bragg, the chance to call Trump a felon.  This is what they wanted all along.  Push, push, push, to get the trial in before election day.

 

$10 million spent to get Trump and you have to twist yourself into a pretzel to figure what the crime was.  

[riclag]

T

10 minutes ago, thaipo7 said:

The Democrat Party in America Today

 

The Democrat Party in America Today is much like a Communist Party in other countries.  Party first, Party all powerful, the people have to have allegiance to the Party and not the country.  You think the open borders is bringing people who have allegiance to the country?  Why would they?  What do they know?  But they have allegiance to the Democrat Party.  This is a model.  It is a form of American Marxism.  Not the Chinese form.  Not the Soviet form.  Not Cuba's form.  It is the American form of Marxism.  

 

This is why the New York Post is upset with Alvin Bragg.  He is dropping almost all the cases brought on by the protestors at NY universities for the protest against Israel.  Problem is, it was an anti-Jewish riot.  All the charges of protestors storming and occupying campus buildings will not face criminal charges.  DA Alvin Bragg is dropping the charges.  Even the ones where Jewish students were harmed and afraid to go about their days at college in the US.  This drew outrage from law enforcement and Jewish advocates.  And all law abiding citizens.  31 people faced the charge of trespassing and the charges were dropped.  No one on J6 had these charges dropped.  We have people in prison today with the trespassing charge on J6.  

 

Trespassing  and violence at the universities are getting away scot-free.  Why?  Because they are Marxists and Islamist.  This is why.  Trump supporters in prison and these others are free as a bird.  Don't tell me J6 was an insurrection.  Democrat Party is the insurrection.  Executive orders, open borders, funding Iran, this is the insurrection.  This is Braggs America.  You charge not just your political opponent, but the person who is the front runner going against you political party.  The Hitler Youth, Hamas, Iran, Students for Justice in Palestine, CARE, have a special pleader in Alvin Bragg.

 

Even in his own city of Manhattan, violent anti Semitics racist, Hitler youth, Marxist, and Islamic extremist get off free.  Prosecutors say they had a lack of evidence to prosecute.  No videos of this? The police had body worn cameras. But there was no evidence. This was turnstile justice.  Then they say they wore masks.  What happened to fingerprints to identify the protestors?  Authorities could not identify anyone.

 

Again, it depends on what side of the political spectrum you are standing on.  We have given the protestors a mandate to push even harder.  Biden got what he wanted from Bragg, the chance to call Trump a felon.  This is what they wanted all along.  Push, push, push, to get the trial in before election day.

 

$10 million spent to get Trump and you have to twist yourself into a pretzel to figure what the crime was.  

Well said my friend!

George Soros sponsored prosecutor strikes again!

 

Those face & head coverings used by the Marxist revolutionaries , who support biden  have just been emboldened! 
 

The left has been at this a long time!

Destroying America from within!

We see the left use Nazism, Communism, Socialism Stalinism , Maoism , Marxism  and Globalism.

Their foot soldiers are in every facet of America’s institutions ! The only force that can stop their advances is

America First & Donald J Trump 

 

 

 

[stevenl]

"During the police raid, cameras inside Hamilton Hall were covered, making it difficult to prove any damage or specific misconduct by individuals."

So no proof, therefore no case.

[riclag]

6 hours ago, impulse said:

Goll dang.  Even Judge Judy is calling out this nonsense:

 

Judge Judy Unloads On Alvin Bragg For Trying Trump Over ‘Nonsense’ Instead Of Keeping Criminals ‘Off The Street’

 

https://dailycaller.com/2024/06/21/judge-judy-unloads-alvin-bragg-donald-trump/

I watched that promo!

The little weasel Chris Wallace wasn’t expecting her response about bragg!

 

I dont think the international leftist 

here know who she is!

[Presto]

10 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office announced on Thursday that nearly all protesters charged with storming and occupying Columbia University’s campus during anti-Israel demonstrations will not face criminal charges. This decision has sparked outrage among law enforcement officials, higher education authorities, and Jewish advocates.

 

In a dramatic NYPD raid on April 30, protesters were rounded up at Columbia University's Morningside Heights campus, resulting in charges against 46 individuals for trespassing in Hamilton Hall. However, the DA's office dismissed cases against 31 of these individuals, citing insufficient evidence, such as security footage, to tie them directly to the building's takeover.

 

Michael Nussbaum, a member of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, expressed his frustration, stating, "This is turnstile justice. This is a green light for chaos, a green light for destroying property." The decision has been seen as undermining the severity of the incident and potentially encouraging similar actions in the future.

 

Assistant District Attorney Stephen Millan explained that the prosecution faced significant challenges due to "extremely limited" video surveillance. During the police raid, cameras inside Hamilton Hall were covered, making it difficult to prove any damage or specific misconduct by individuals. Additionally, the protesters wore masks, complicating identification efforts.

 

Millan also noted that none of the individuals whose charges were dropped had a criminal history, and the involvement of Columbia, Barnard, or Union Theological Seminary students and staff in the protests influenced the decision. These individuals face potential disciplinary action from their respective institutions.

 

Among those whose charges were dropped is Aidan Parisi, a 27-year-old postgraduate student in social work at Columbia. However, James Carlson, considered a "possible leader" of the protests, remains charged with hate crime, assault, and petit larceny. Carlson allegedly torched an Israel supporter’s flag and hit the individual with a rock during an April demonstration. He is also accused of destroying a camera inside a holding cell at One Police Plaza. Carlson's attorney, Moira Meltzer-Cohen, has disputed the validity of these allegations.

 

Prosecutors informed 14 other individuals, including 12 unaffiliated with the Ivy League school, that their cases would be dismissed under certain conditions. Defense attorney Matthew W. Daloisio argued for immediate dismissal, emphasizing that no one was harmed or property damaged.

 

The decision to drop charges has been met with disbelief and anger from several police sources. One officer questioned the adequacy of body-worn camera footage as evidence, while another veteran cop criticized the DA's actions as giving protesters a mandate to escalate their behavior.

 

Jeffrey Wiesenfeld, a former trustee on the governing board for CUNY, criticized the inability to identify any individuals involved in the protests. "How can it be that you can’t identify a single person? It’s not acceptable and it’s not good for the city," Wiesenfeld stated.

 

This incident highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement and judicial systems in dealing with large-scale protests and the need for clear and effective evidence to pursue criminal charges. The decision by DA Bragg’s office underscores the complexity of balancing legal standards of proof with public demands for accountability and justice.

 

 

Credit: NYP 2024-06-22

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Good call by Bragg. Although they shouldn't have been charged at all. Trespassing, but no evidence? What nonsense.

It's not difficult to see by who is foaming at the mouth what's going on here. Suppression of free speech, of protests against Israel.

Remember that NY deputy police chief, showing proudly a very strong bicycle chain lock as proof of outside organizers of the protests? Clowns.

[riclag]

Its a election year.

Its time for radical wing of  the biden supporters to take off the scarf or  wrapped covering of the face that conceal their identity !

https://nypost.com/2024/05/04/us-news/nyc-lawmaker-moves-to-ban-deceptive-masks-at-protests/

 

[riclag]

5 minutes ago, riclag said:

Its a election year.

Its time for radical wing of  the biden supporters to take off the scarf or  wrapped covering of the face that conceal their identity !

https://nypost.com/2024/05/04/us-news/nyc-lawmaker-moves-to-ban-deceptive-masks-at-protests/

 

Can’t let the revolutionary movement of bidens party 

seize the day!

America must defeat these Jacobins , that chant death to America!

[impulse]

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

"During the police raid, cameras inside Hamilton Hall were covered, making it difficult to prove any damage or specific misconduct by individuals."

So no proof, therefore no case.

 

It's astounding if you can keep a straight face while posting that. 

 

They have prosecuted J6'ers years after the event, chasing them down by cell phone pings.  Just for being there.  Some went out of bounds and needed prosecution, but others just walked in the doors being held open by cops.

 

This is exactly why most of the country sees a dual system of justice and why they're going to vote for a felon.  And lefty heads are going to explode when it happens.

 

 

Edited June 22 by impulse

[The Theory]

8 hours ago, impulse said:

Judge Judy Unloads On Alvin Bragg For Trying Trump Over ‘Nonsense’ Instead Of Keeping Criminals ‘Off The Street’

These criminals are "on call" at all times for democrats. And more will be imported from Gaza. 

[Sheryl]

it is pretty standard in campus riots/demonstrations -- regardless of what they are about -- for people to be arrested then ultimately released without charges.

 

Too difficult to tie specific individuals to specific acts and in most cases potential charges would be  just be misdemeanors anyhow.

 

Standard playbook: The cops go in, break it up, grab everyone they can (who may or may not have been doing XYZ, some might just have been standing by watching), haul them all off thus effectively stopping things. Then hold everyone a day or so and let them all go.

 

Exception would be in cases where someone was seriously injured, or there was a clear attempt at hurting or killing someone (neither usually true at Campus ruckuses) in which case effort would be made to identify those specifically responsible.

[riclag]

10 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

It's astounding if you can keep a straight face while posting that. 

 

They have prosecuted J6'ers years after the event, chasing them down by cell phone pings.  Just for being there.  Some went out of bounds and needed prosecution, but others just walked in the doors being held open by cops.

 

This is exactly why most of the country sees a dual system of justice and why they're going to vote for a felon.  And lefty heads are going to explode when it happens.

 

 

A dem convicted felon! 

 

bragg & ex Doj Colangelo go before the house in July ! If the Gop could only find a prosecutor instead of Jordan , to question the 2  Dem’s.

 

 

https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2024/06/11/bragg--colangelo-set-to-appear-before-congress-in-july-trump

[placeholder]

8 hours ago, impulse said:

Goll dang.  Even Judge Judy is calling out this nonsense:

 

Judge Judy Unloads On Alvin Bragg For Trying Trump Over ‘Nonsense’ Instead Of Keeping Criminals ‘Off The Street’

 

https://dailycaller.com/2024/06/21/judge-judy-unloads-alvin-bragg-donald-trump/

Why "Even Judge Judy"? Has she been a prominent advocate for robust protection of civil liberties?

 

"Judge Judy is an American arbitration-based reality court show presided over by former Manhattan Family Court Judge Judith Sheindlin."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judge_Judy

Wow! Family court. Such a distinguished career.

[placeholder]

7 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

What a farce, there's a massive amount of video footage. 

Got a link to share it with the rest of us?

[placeholder]

1 hour ago, riclag said:

I watched that promo!

The little weasel Chris Wallace wasn’t expecting her response about bragg!

 

I dont think the international leftist 

here know who she is!

Given her undistinguished judicial record, it's clear you don't either.

[placeholder]

47 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

It's astounding if you can keep a straight face while posting that. 

 

They have prosecuted J6'ers years after the event, chasing them down by cell phone pings.  Just for being there.  Some went out of bounds and needed prosecution, but others just walked in the doors being held open by cops.

 

This is exactly why most of the country sees a dual system of justice and why they're going to vote for a felon.  And lefty heads are going to explode when it happens.

 

 

The J6'ers attempted to interfere with a constitutionally prescribed transfer of power. That was a crime against the Constitution of the United States. And a lot of them actually posted footage to the internet. And the Capitol is heavily monitored with cameras.

[Bkk Brian]

13 minutes ago, placeholder said:

Got a link to share it with the rest of us?

Yea, the OP plus dozens more on youtube 🤣

[stevenl]

31 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Yea, the OP plus dozens more on youtube 🤣

No recognizable individuals damaging property.

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, stevenl said:

No recognizable individuals damaging property.

Since when has trespassing not been a crime, 46 of them were arrested and charged with it.

[placeholder]

32 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Yea, the OP plus dozens more on youtube 🤣

Really? Have you actually watched the video posted here? I doubt there was even a minute of footage of Columbia students What felonies were being committed by identifiable students? And if there are, are any of them still being prosecuted?

Got a link to any of those dozens on youtube that show students who are not currently being prosecuted committing felonies? 

[riclag]

Americans have watched the Marxist wing of bidens supporters occupy city streets, bridges, campusus& universities throughout America.

Some have  recognized their coordinated efforts at establishing mini caliphate encampments  while concealing their faces to escape identity with the financial support of dark money reportedly from a elaborate schemes of  funneling  from organizations sponsored by the Soros regime ! As has been widely sourced by WSJ & NYP reports.

 

bragg is a part of that evil dark money!

So was the  ag in Missouri( Ms.Gardner) in Chicago Ms Foxx) and others.

 

https://www.heritage.org/crime-and-justice/commentary/george-soross-prosecutors-wage-war-law-and-order

 

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, placeholder said:

Really? Have you actually watched the video posted here? I doubt there was even a minute of footage of Columbia students What felonies were being committed by identifiable students? And if there are, are any of them still being prosecuted?

Got a link to any of those dozens on youtube that show students who are not currently being prosecuted committing felonies? 

Yes, I watched it, I tell you what, every time you want to watch another I will post one for you, all you need to do is respond. 

 

Body camera video shows NYPD entering building at Columbia University

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xpcd-RVtoSQ

 

[Presto]

34 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Yea, the OP plus dozens more on youtube 🤣

It's maybe hard to grasp for you, but you need actual evidence to prosecute someone.

Your hatred alone doesn't cut it.

Btw, actual evidence is why Israel (and Hamas) will be prosecuted for war crimes. Unless Biden bullies the the ICJ even more than usual.

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, Presto said:

It's maybe hard to grasp for you, but you need actual evidence to prosecute someone.

Your hatred alone doesn't cut it.

Btw, actual evidence is why Israel (and Hamas) will be prosecuted for war crimes. Unless Biden bullies the the ICJ even more than usual.

Do they hate the 13 whose charges have not been dropped?

[Celsius]

OMG TRUMP IS SO GOING TO WIN

[placeholder]

5 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Yes, I watched it, I tell you what, every time you want to watch another I will post one for you, all you need to do is respond. 

 

Body camera video shows NYPD entering building at Columbia University

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xpcd-RVtoSQ

 

You might as well have showed me a family birthday party given that the clip you provided offers nothing in the way of proof. If this is typical, then you've got nothing.

[Bkk Brian]

1 minute ago, placeholder said:

You might as well have showed me a family birthday party given that the clip you provided offers nothing in the way of proof. If this is typical, then you've got nothing.

Enough for a bunch of them to be arrested....lol

 

Like I said happy to drop a link each time you respond

 

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/video/police-clash-protesters-columbia-university-109778785

[placeholder]

1 minute ago, Bkk Brian said:

Enough for a bunch of them to be arrested....lol

 

Like I said happy to drop a link each time you respond

 

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/video/police-clash-protesters-columbia-university-109778785

But what you seem unable to do is to respond with a relevant link.