NYPD Begins Detaining Columbia's Anti-Israel Protesters After School President Calls To Clear Campus

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Students participate in a protest in support of Palestine and for free speech outside of the Columbia University campus on November 15, 2023 in New York City. The university suspended two student organizations, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voices for Peace, for violating university policies. The tense atmosphere at many college campuses has increased as student groups, activists and others have protested both in support of Israel and Palestine (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) — Students participate in a protest in support of Palestine and for free speech outside of the Columbia University campus on November 15, 2023 in New York City. The university suspended two student organizations, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voices for Peace, for violating university policies. The tense atmosphere at many college campuses has increased as student groups, activists and others have protested both in support of Israel and Palestine (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

OAN’s James Meyers
11:33 AM – Thursday, April 18, 2024

The New York Police Department (NYPD) flooded Columbia University in riot gear on Thursday afternoon and began arresting anti-Israel protesters after the president of the IVY League school called for the campus to be cleared.

President Minouche Shafik told students, faculty, and staff that she made the call despite her hopes that the move would “never be necessary.”

Just after 1 p.m., police forces covered in body armor and face shields stormed the Morningside Heights campus and surrounded the area, which was set up since early on Wednesday.

Police then began arresting the protesters at the scene, and blocked off 114^th and 115^th streets south of the main entrance of campus.

The protesters have been calling for Columbia University to pull away from “companies with ties to Israel,” according to the school’s newspaper. Meanwhile, members of Congress have accused Shafik of not taking more action against anti-Semitism at the school.

At least six NYPD corrections buses were also parked near the scene.

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