Anti-Israel protests were a spectacle for a Columbia student.

In New York City, pro-Palestine protests have been taking place at Columbia University, with students and anti-Israel activists continuing their "shocking" display despite mass arrests.

A part-time Columbia University student contended that the ordeal highlights the escalation of the "craziness" to a "fever pitch" since October 7.

On "Fox & Friends Weekend" Saturday, New York Post columnist Rikki Schlott stated that the post-October 7 craziness on campus has reached a new level in the fever pitch.

"I never thought I would witness NYPD officers in riot gear dispersing hundreds of Columbia students who were intentionally getting arrested in support of Palestine, a cause that they may not fully comprehend."

Schlott, a first-semester student at Columbia, experienced the unfolding madness on Thursday and Friday.

Since Oct. 7, Columbia University has witnessed a surge of pro-Palestinian protests, which have intensified as Israel's military offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip continues.

Since early Wednesday, dozens of protesters have been camping out on school grounds in tents, demanding that the university divest from companies with ties to Israel. This occurred while Shafik was testifying on Capitol Hill.

In anticipation of potential unrest due to Shafik's testimony, the university restricted campus access to only those with IDs.

The "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" was set up on a campus lawn on Thursday, just hours before University President Minouche Shafik testified before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce about antisemitism on campus.

The encampment demands that the university divest any of its investments in Israel through its endowment, and they will not leave until this happens, according to Schlott.

The NYPD was eventually invited to the university by Shafik and began arresting several protesters, as acknowledged by Schlott.

During an early evening press conference, the New York Police Department (NYPD) announced that 108 individuals were arrested and issued a summons for trespassing. Additionally, two people were given a summons for obstructing governmental administration.

While many protesters were peaceful and did not resist arrest, around 500 students left their classrooms and told officers they were members of the KKK, called them "baby killers," and told them to "go kill themselves," a police official stated.

Despite the mass arrests on Thursday, protests persisted at Columbia University on Friday and a significant police presence, including officers in riot gear, was reported.

Columbia students were distinguished from outside protesters by Schlott, who characterized the latter as "more aggressive" and "more radical."

Columbia shut off the campus to anyone without an ID, allowing only students to enter. The protesters outside, including the one who shouted 'we are Hamas,' were more aggressive and radical than the students inside, in my view and experience.

During the multiple days of demonstrations, Schlott reported hearing protesters chant "Intifada," "we are Hamas," "Divulge, Divest," and other slogans.

The part-time student stated that students were being arrested for trespassing and violating school rules. They also mentioned seeing Lesbians for Liberation, which is a rich organization, despite the students' apparent lack of understanding of how LGBTQ people are treated in Palestine.

Although she had previously attended NYU, Schlott found the protests to be "shocking."

Our community has had protest activity on campus since October, and we expect that activity to continue, a Columbia University spokesperson previously told Planet Chronicle Digital.

The spokesperson stated that the University has rules governing protest activity and will continue to enforce them. They also emphasized their commitment to maintaining regular contact with students and student groups and upholding the core functions of the University.

Planet Chronicle Digital also reached out to Columbia on Saturday for a comment.

This report was contributed to by Brie Stimson, Michael Dorgan, Stephen Sorace, and Louis Casiano from Planet Chronicle.