NEW YORK, May 8 – A pro-Palestinian protest broke out at Columbia University on Wednesday afternoon and more than 100 demonstrators occupied part of the university’s main library, leading to the arrest of some 75 individuals.
Tensions escalated quickly as clashes erupted between protesters and university public safety officers. Protesters were pushed back toward the library entrance, and two safety officers sustained injuries during the confrontation. A fire alarm was triggered amid the chaos.
Protesters chanted slogans including “No cops. No K.K.K. No fascist U.S.A.” and “Free Palestine.”
The New York police entered the main campus of Columbia University at the university’s request around 6 p.m. local time (2200 GMT) and made arrests on the grounds of trespassing.
This marks the most significant protest at Columbia University since the demonstrations in April 2024 and resulted in a big number of arrests to date.
XINHUA
