Columbia University asked the New York City Police Department to help clear pro-Palestinian protesters from the campus library Wednesday night.
Due to the number of individuals involved in the internal and external interruptions of the building, a large number of people attempting to force them into Butler Library, creating safety hazards, and an important presence of individuals we believe are not affiliated with the university, the Columbia Party has taken the necessary steps to ask the presence of the NYPD to assist in securing the principals of the building and our community, and ruled one principal among the principals.
“Requesting the presence of the NYPD is not the result we want, but it is absolutely necessary to keep our community safe,” she added.
New York Police Department officers were seen evacuating dozens of protesters from the library.
Video shows protesters flooding into Butler Library in Colombia
Video shows protesters violently attacking Butler Library early in the afternoon, occupying a room in the building and destroying property.
A university spokesman said the school’s public safety team responded quickly. According to the university, protesters were asked to show their ID and disperse. The university said the identity of the protesters “will be recorded.”
As of the evening, no protesters chose to identify themselves and leave. The school added that protesters were told that non-compliance could lead to arrest.
The university said individuals who were in the library but were not involved in the protest were allowed to leave.
At least three people were seen detained in public safety.
I saw the first responder take someone out of the stretcher, take someone out of the library, and hear a fire alarm.
Meanwhile, the Chopper 2 video shows a large number of protesters gathering outside the library, apparently trying to push their own way inside.
Shipman said two Columbia public safety officials were injured: "In the midst of a surge in crowds, when individuals try to force themselves into the building and enter Room 301."
Gov. Kathy Hochul said in an article on X that she had briefed the situation and “thanks to public safety officials for ensuring students’ safety.”
"Everyone has the right to protest peacefully. But violence, intentional destruction or property damage is totally unacceptable," she wrote.
Mayor Eric Adams issued the following statement:
“At Columbia University’s written request, the New York Police Department is entering the campus to remove the trespassing person.
“As I have said again and again, New York City will always defend the right to peaceful protests, but we will never tolerate lawless people. For our Jewish New Yorkers, especially Colombian students, who feel threatened or unsafe for these incidents: You know your mayor stands with you and will always strive to keep you safe.
"For parents who protest students: calling your child and explicitly breaking the law is wrong, they should immediately exit the building. For those protesters who do not attend Colombia: exit the campus immediately or you will be arrested. We will not tolerate hatred or violence in any form of our city."
Columbia University's pro-Palestine demonstration
It all happened when the school was in pre-premium reading week.
“While this is isolated in a room in the library, it is completely unacceptable for some to choose to disrupt academic activities as our students are studying and preparing for final exams. These damage to our campus and academic activities is unquestionable. People will not tolerate it. The individuals who are found will be found to be in violation of university rules and policies. We require members of our community to be ruled nearby, but to avoid ruled nearby.
Many protesters were seen wearing masks. Colombia Mask ban was announced earlier this year As part of the new policy According to the Trump administration's request.
Columbia University Always in the crosshair Trump administration's administration follows last year's pro-Palestinian campus protests Threat to be detained If certain changes are not implemented in schools, hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding. Two prominent student activists were also arrested by federal immigration authorities Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi.
Stay with CBS News for this developing story.
