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From Fox News: Columbia University has warned anti-Israel protesting students that the college will tear down any encampments – and potentially arrest agitators – should they try and set up encampments on campus again this year.
The stern warning comes after the university said it became aware of secretive plans to repeat last year’s protest at the university, which culminated in students taking control of Hamilton Hall and clashing with police in riot gear. The ugly scenes saw more than 200 people arrested as students protested Israel’s war in Gaza in response to the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas that left more than 1,200 people dead.
“We have been made aware of possible plans to establish encampments on Columbia’s campuses,” a public safety alert put out by the university reads. “We want to clearly communicate that camping and encampments on Columbia’s campuses are prohibited by university policy.”
The university said authorities would immediately take steps to remove tents or other structures and tell demonstrators to disperse.
“Individuals who refuse to disperse will be identified and sanctions, including potential removal from campus and possible arrest, may be applied.”
In apparent response to Wednesday’s report from NBC, Columbia published a statement on “potential campus disruptions.”
“Encampments are prohibited under University Policies and participating in an encampment may also trigger University Rules violations.” https://t.co/GoMDke4VOS pic.twitter.com/xoaVzcgC9A
— Shea Vance (@SheaVance22) April 24, 2025
READ MORE from Fox News.
Columbia U threatens to arrest anti-Israel protesters, remove encampments as new demonstrations loom https://t.co/rYmxh1L6fN
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 24, 2025
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) released the following statement:
The planned encampments at Columbia University are against the university policies. President @realDonaldTrump has made it clear, students who participate in antisemitic vitriol must be swiftly held accountable for their hate. I will be watching to see how the school’s administration handles any potential for Far-Left violence against Jewish students. Thank you President Trump for standing up against antisemitism.
The planned encampments at Columbia University are against the university policies. President @realDonaldTrump was clear, students who participate in antisemitic vitriol will be swiftly held accountable for their hate. I will be keeping an eye on this situation to see how the…
— Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) April 24, 2025
NBC News first reported on Wednesday:
A group of protesters is planning to set up tent encampments on Columbia University campuses this week in protest of the war in Gaza, according to three people familiar with the planning and a recording of a meeting to plan the action shared with NBC News.
Planning for the encampments has been shrouded in secrecy.
The coordinating meeting took place at a community center on Tuesday night in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood, approximately 12 miles from campus, according to screenshots of Signal messages from organizers and a person who was at the meeting.
Invitations for the meeting were largely distributed in person or verbally over the phone, according to the person who attended the meeting and asked not to be named due to fears of discipline from the school.
More than 100 people were present at the gathering and all wore masks to conceal their identities, according to the person. It is unclear if all of the participants were Columbia students, the person said.
NEW: A group of protesters is planning to set up tent encampments on Columbia U. campuses this week in protest of the war in Gaza, according to three people familiar with the planning and a recording of a meeting to plan the action shared with NBC News. https://t.co/cnym2FYMg6
— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 23, 2025
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