AhlulBayt News Agency: Columbia University has suspended more than 65 students following a pro-Palestinian demonstration at Butler Library. The protest, which took place on Wednesday, led to 80 arrests, university officials confirmed on Friday. According to a university spokesperson, the students involved have been placed under "interim suspension" while an investigation is ongoing.
Additionally, 33 individuals from affiliated schools have been barred from the university’s Morningside Heights campus. Alumni who participated in the protest have also been restricted from returning to the campus. The demonstration saw a group of activists enter Butler Library, Columbia’s main library, where security personnel confronted the protesters, many of whom were wearing keffiyehs, a traditional headscarf associated with Palestinians. As tensions escalated, activists reportedly occupied the library.
Similar protests have erupted across American universities, condemning what has been described as a war of genocide against Gaza. Since October 2023, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of approximately 52,800 Palestinians, the majority being women and children. Demonstrators have voiced anger over American military aid and political support for Israel, which has fueled the ongoing offensive.
University officials, including Acting President Claire Shipman, have attempted to frame the protests as instances of "anti-Semitism," a claim that critics argue is being used to suppress pro-Palestinian voices. Shipman reiterated Columbia’s rejection of "harassment and discrimination" in an official statement, reinforcing the administration’s position on the matter.
As part of broader efforts to crack down on such demonstrations, Columbia has allowed federal immigration agents on campus, further escalating tensions. The administration insists that protests disrupt the academic environment and violate university policies. However, activists argue that these measures are intended to silence dissent and block discussions on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
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