Columbia alumna arrested during anti-Israel protest on campus
- A Columbia University alumna was arrested during a protest against Israel outside the campus gate.
- The protest involved chaining to the entryway and calls for various demands including campus transparency and divestment.
- University officials warned that further encampments could lead to disciplinary action and potential arrests, indicating the administration's tightening of protest regulations.
On April 21, 2025, the New York Police Department arrested a Columbia University alumna who was protesting outside the main campus gate along with approximately two dozen other demonstrators. This protest was part of a larger anti-Israel movement, where some participants chained themselves to the campus entryway to advocate for the release of Columbia students detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The group called for significant demands, including the university to disclose its financial investments, divest from companies they believed profited from the oppression of Palestinian people, and declare itself a 'sanctuary campus.' Protesters displayed various signs with messages such as 'Free Our Prisoners, Free Them All' and 'ICE off campus,' while chants echoed throughout the protest area, highlighting the participants' active engagement. In response to the protest's intensity, Claire Shipman, the university's new acting president, initiated policy changes that included stricter rules against masking, restrictions on disruptive protests, and consistent disciplinary measures in order to restore university funding and maintain the focus on teaching and learning. Columbia University officials quickly reacted to the escalating tensions, with public safety asking for identification from the protestors to assess compliance with university policies. After some time, Columbia’s Public Safety department cut the locks used by the chained protesters but did not intervene directly against the larger group. A university spokeswoman confirmed that while there were disruptions, students' ability to attend classes remained unaffected; all scheduled campus activities continued as planned. These events have a backdrop of significant debate and division over campus free speech, particularly surrounding issues related to Israel and Palestine. The recent protests echoed a similar disruption from the previous academic year, which resulted in major repercussions for participants. The university had taken severe actions against those involved in the past encampments, including suspensions and expulsions, ultimately leading to increased scrutiny from the federal government and a chilling effect on campus activism. Any escalation of anti-Israel protests may force the new university administration to recalibrate its approach to campus demonstrations amid rising tensions between advocacy for Palestinian rights and combating antisemitism within educational institutions.