Protests Mark First Day Of Classes At Columbia University

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY – The fall semester began at Columbia University on Tuesday. To mark the occasion, pro-Palestinian protestors, reportedly members of Columbia University Apartheid Divest, picketed near Columbia’s main gate at 116th Street and Broadway.

“There are some protestors at Columbia University,” an NYPD spokesperson told Patch. “They’re orderly at this time. We have some units over there and they’ll keep us updated. No arrests.”

Officials were not able to provide an estimate of the size of the protest.

Alma Mater, a sculpture located on the steps of the Low Memorial Library, was reportedly doused with red paint on Tuesday morning, according to video shared on social media.

Another Semester Of Unrest?

The protests signal a continuation of the demonstrations in support of Palestine – as well as conflict between supporters of Israel and supporters of Palestine – that gripped Columbia’s campus in the spring.

Former university president Minouche Shafik was sharply criticized for her response to the spring protests, with some arguing that Shafik’s actions were excessively harsh. Others criticized Shafik for permitting the protests – and reported incidents of anti-Semitism – to continue as long as she did.

Shafik stepped down in August. She was replaced by Katrina Armstrong, who is currently serving as Columbia's interim president.

Columbia effectively closed its Morningside Heights campus in August, and only those with school IDs or their pre-registered guests will be allowed inside. Columbia has also reportedly weighed granting campus security the power to arrest students.

According to Reuters, the majority of protest activity has been led by Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), which demands the university cease its involvement with – or divest – from companies that support what the group describes as Israeli’s military occupation of Palestinian territories.

A majority of students support Columbia divesting from Israel, according to Reuters, with as many as 76% voting in favor in an April referendum.