The first day of classes at Columbia University and Barnard College erupted into chaos as dozens of anti-Israel protesters, some cheering for Hamas, descended on the campuses, leading to two arrests by the NYPD. This turbulent start to the new school year echoed the disruptive demonstrations that plagued the Upper Manhattan campus at the end of the previous semester.

 

 

Protesters formed picket lines, banging drums as students waited in long queues to pass through security to enter the Ivy League institution in Morningside Heights. Nearby, at Barnard College, Columbia’s sister school, the protests continued, resulting in the arrest of two demonstrators, including one who concealed their identity with a keffiyeh scarf. Protesters waved signs with slogans like “resist until victory” and chanted, “over 100,000 dead, Columbia your hands are red” and “don’t cross the picket line, we must honor Palestine.” At one point, over 150 students lined the block, waiting to enter the campus through its tall iron gates at Broadway and West 116th Street.

 

Inside Columbia, the Alma Mater, a historic bronze statue from the early 1900s located on the steps of the Low Memorial Library, was defaced with red paint by midday. This act of vandalism comes on the heels of a new 91-page report by Columbia’s faculty-led antisemitism task force, which highlighted the urgent need for reforms to address rising hate on campus. The report detailed how the university failed to protect Jewish and Israeli students from ostracization, humiliation, and verbal abuse following Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel. It also noted that some professors dismissed the growing concerns about antisemitism, further aggravating the situation.

 

Governor Kathy Hochul has pledged to crack down on such demonstrations to prevent a recurrence of last year’s widespread campus protests across New York. One Columbia student, Levin, expressed disappointment over the defacement of the statue, stating, “I expected protest but I didn’t expect the statue to be defaced. It shows a complete disrespect and sheer hostile intent.” Levin further criticized the demonstrators, saying, “The protesters are not here to engage in discussion. They have a hateful agenda and they’re dragging the rest of the school down with them.”

 

The escalating tensions have also caught the attention of House Republican leaders, who are promising to confront the wave of anti-Israel protests taking over college campuses as students return for the fall semester. Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., called for strict measures against antisemitic violence targeting Jewish students, saying, “There should be a zero tolerance policy for antisemitic violence on campus that targets Jewish students. If universities won’t hold protestors accountable, Congress will.” Scalise also mentioned that Congress had recently subpoenaed several Columbia University officials and vowed to continue investigations as students return to campus.

 

With the new school year just beginning, Columbia University finds itself at the center of a growing debate over freedom of expression and the limits of protest, as both state and federal officials grapple with how to address the rising tide of campus unrest.

 

Credit: NYP 2024-09-05

 

 

 

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oppose the world's only colonialist, racist, apartheid country and you become a dreaded "anti-semite"...

Nothing to see here

Future of America is in serious trouble with airheads like these who haven't a clue. 

The retards, having a day out. 

On 9/5/2024 at 5:58 PM, rocketboy2 said:

The retards, having a day out. 

Another prejudice post to people who may have a disability 

Shame on you 

8 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Another prejudice post to people who may have a disability 

Shame on you 

 

you are such a wag.