Columbia University Faces Radical Protests Amid Calls for Eradication of Western Civilization

Columbia University is grappling with escalating tensions as a coalition of 116 student groups, known as Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), has made alarming declarations regarding their intentions to dismantle Western civilization. In a recent Instagram post, the group expressed solidarity with global liberation movements, particularly in light of recent anti-government protests in Bangladesh that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The protests, which began over job quotas, have since spiraled into violence against Hindu minorities. The CUAD coalition has called for the university to divest from companies with ties to Israel, framing their actions as part of a broader struggle against perceived imperialism. They emphasized the need to escalate their efforts until "the empire crumbles," drawing parallels between their cause and the unrest in Bangladesh. This rhetoric has raised concerns among university officials, with former dean James J. Valentini warning that the students' statements should not be dismissed as mere threats. In response to the potential for renewed protests, Columbia has announced restrictions on campus access, limiting it to staff and students only. This decision comes as the university prepares for the upcoming academic year, which begins on September 3. The unrest has already had significant repercussions, leading to the resignation of President Minouche Shafik amid ongoing criticism from various factions within the university community. Both Columbia and CUAD have yet to comment on the situation.