New York police made their way into Columbia University late Tuesday after being called in by college officials who said they had «no choice» after window-smashing protesters broke into an academic building and refused to leave.
New York police made their way into Columbia University late Tuesday after being called in by college officials who said they had “no choice” after window-smashing protesters broke into an academic building and refused to leave.
“A little after 9 p.m. this evening, the NYPD arrived on campus at the University’s request. This decision was made to restore safety and order to our community,” said a university spokesperson in a late Tuesday statement.
A number of protesters were in custody before 10 p.m., according to reporters at the scene.
Footage broadcast on cable news showed helmet-clad police moving in behind riot shields, carrying zip ties.
“We regret that protesters have chosen to escalate the situation through their actions. After the University learned overnight that Hamilton Hall had been occupied, vandalized, and blockaded, we were left with no choice,” said the post on the Columbia website.
Columbia shut down its main Morningside campus early Tuesday after dozens of protesters barricaded themselves overnight into Hamilton Hall, refusing to leave unless the university divests from Israel, which President Minouche Shafik has refused to do.
