Protesters Demonstrate Against Israel at Columbia University on First Day of Classes

On Tuesday, protesters who were masked and opposed to Israel gathered outside of one of Columbia University's entrances, chanting "Free Palestine!" and holding signs urging the Ivy League school to "divest from death" as students were trying to attend their first day of classes.

The protests at the New York City-based university, which garnered international attention and resulted in over 100 arrests, were followed by demonstrations. These demonstrations took place just days after Hamas killed six hostages, including a 23-year-old Israeli American, Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Hamas had been holding these hostages captive since they carried out terror attacks in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and continues to hold nearly 100 others.

On Tuesday, a protester was captured on video being arrested while other demonstrators were pushing barricades and getting into a scuffle. Additionally, a second male individual was taken into custody outside Barnard College, which is across the street from Columbia.

Peaceful demonstrations commenced near one of Columbia's entrances in Upper Manhattan, with protesters strolling around on a sidewalk.

"The group Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine wrote that they refuse to accept a world where the mass murder of Palestinians is considered normal, acceptable, and profitable. They accused Columbia University of being complicit in genocide through its investments in weapons manufacturers and defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin."

"Columbia University is doubling down on its decision not to listen to the student body as students in Gaza have no universities to return to. We will not stop and we will not rest until Columbia divests from apartheid and genocide. This is just the beginning."

Planet Chronicle Digital did not receive an immediate response from Columbia University when requested for a comment.

An anti-Israel protester was seen carrying a sign that read "Long live Hind's Hall" in late April when an anti-Israel mob broke into and occupied Hamilton Hall on Columbia University's campus. The group then placed a banner over the facility, renaming it "Hind’s Hall," apparently after Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old who died during Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.

An on-site student informed Alexis McAdams of Planet Chronicle that the ongoing genocide is a result of the United States' material and political responsibility.

The student stated that protests would not stop until Columbia University divested from its complicity in Israel's genocide of the Palestinian people.

This report was contributed to by Sandy Ibrahim, Lawrence Richard, and Alexis McAdams of Planet Chronicle.