Columbia University releases statement after organizing with NYPD to clear pro-Palestine occupation of college buildings

Columbia University has released a statement after the school organized with the NYPD to clear pro-Palestine protestors out of college buildings. 

On Tuesday night, New York City cops dressed in riot gear stormed through the window of Hamilton Hall, which students violently took over earlier in the day, to flush out dozens of pro-Palestine protesters. 

Dozens of people were arrested near the building after cops armed with zip ties and pepper spray broke in via a window.

The raid comes after Columbia leaders asked NYPD to come to the campus 'to restore order and safety' following an escalation in the protester's tactics.

In a statement the university said: '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.

'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.

'Columbia public safety personnel were forced out of the building, and a member of our facilities team was threatened. We will not risk the safety of our community or the potential for further escalation.

'The leadership team, including the Board of Trustees, met throughout the night and into the early morning, consulting with security experts and law enforcement to determine the best plan to protect our students and the entire Columbia community.

The statement continued: 'We made the decision, early in the morning, that this was a law enforcement matter, and that the NYPD were best positioned to determine and execute an appropriate response.

'We believe that the group that broke into and occupied the building is led by individuals who are not affiliated with the University. Sadly, this dangerous decision followed more than a week of what had been productive discussions with representatives of the West Lawn encampment.

'We severely curtailed the number of people on Morningside campus starting Tuesday morning. Over the course of the day, we updated our community on access to campus buildings, and will continue to do so through the next few days.

'The decision to reach out to the NYPD was in response to the actions of the protesters, not the cause they are championing. We have made it clear that the life of campus cannot be endlessly interrupted by protesters who violate the rules and the law.

'Early Tuesday, protesters chose to escalate to an alarming and untenable situation – including by vandalizing property, breaking doors and windows, blockading entrances, and forcing our facilities and public safety workers out – and we are responding appropriately as we have long made clear we would.

'The safety of our community, especially our students, remains our top priority.' 

An encampment first sprung up at the school on April 17 after the university's president Minouche Shafik was hauled before Congress to address anti-Semitism on campus. 

Prior to the NYPD raid, the Ivy League said that students that occupied the building will 'face suspension.' 

'Protesters were informed that their participation in the encampment violated numerous university policies. We gave everyone at the encampment the opportunity to leave peacefully.'  

'By committing to abide by University policies, they would be allowed to complete the semester.' 

During a press conference just before police stormed on campus, Assistant Commissioner Rebecca Weiner warned the protest had been co-opted by external agitators who were not affiliated with the university.

She stressed the occupation had the potential to spill into other campus buildings, as well as other universities across the country.

'This is not about what's happening overseas, it's not about the last seven months, it's about a very different commitment to at times violent protest activity as an occupation,' she said.

'They haven't got a right to be on campus and this violates university polices and most importantly, presents a danger to students and the university and communities.'

'When we see what we saw last night, we think these tactics are a result of guidance being given to students from these external actors.'

A shelter in place warning was issued to students on Morningside campus in the moments before officers descended.

The occupation of Hamilton Hall was the latest escalation in the unrest which has rocked the school in recent weeks.

Activists have been camped out at the Ivy League school's South Lawns for 14 days. 

Protesters have been demanding the college divest from companies with links to Israel or firms profiting from its war on Hamas.

College officials have been battling to shut down the encampment, stating it violates university polices. 

Following the occupation of Hamilton Hall, Shafik warned that those involved would face expulsion.

More than 100 activists have already been arrested at the school since the encampment began. 

A first encampment was broken up by NYPD officials. But, university officials had vowed not to take similar steps for the current protest. 

They gave students an ultimatum to leave, but few followed the instructions.

'We will not leave until Columbia meets every one of our demands,' one activist screamed from a balcony in the building after the takeover. 

Hours before the raid, university protestors demanded food and water be brought to their encampment so they don't 'die of dehydration and starvation.'

Students pleaded for 'basic humanitarian aid' to be delivered to those who illegally occupied Hamilton Hall. 

A spokesperson for the protestors insisted that Columbia is still, 'obligated to provide food to students who pay for a meal plan.' 

'Do you want students to die of dehydration and starvation or get severely ill even if you disagree with them?' the brazen spokesperson rhetorically asked university leaders.