Now Columbia University protesters demand free food and water so they don't 'die of hunger' as Anti-Israel encampment stretches on the Ivy League school threatens expulsion

Columbia University protesters are demanding 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 illegally occupying Hamilton Hall. Tensions at the campus ramped up again on Tuesday after activists broke in and seized a historic university building.

The NYPD warned that the demonstration has been co-opted by 'professional, external actors unaffiliated with the university' who are deliberately attempting to agitate.

However, 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.

'If the answer is no then you should allow basic, it's crazy to say because we're on an Ivy League campus, but this is basic humanitarian aid we're asking for. Could people please just have a glass of water?'

The spokesperson addressed media who had gathered at Hamilton Hall to grill them about the occupation.

'It's a question of what kind of community and obligation Columbia has to its students,' the spokesperson said. 

'We're asking them to not violently stop us bringing in basic humanitarian aid.'

The occupation is an escalation of the unrest which has rocked the campus in recent weeks ever since an encampment sprung up on the South Lawns on April 17.

Protesters are demanding that Columbia divest from companies with ties to Israel or firms profiting from its war on Hamas.

More than 100 activists have already been arrested at the school since the encampment began. Students have set up tents on the school's main campus. A first encampment was broken up by NYPD officials. But, university officials have vowed not to take similar steps for the current protest. 

The university gave students an ultimatum to leave, but few followed the instructions. Officials then started to suspend students before a group raided Hamilton Hall.  

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

According to the Columbia Spectator, the group who made it inside the building threw their belongings aside before beginning their immediate efforts to barricade the doors.

Images from the mass demonstration show sleeping bags, coats, rucksacks and blankets strewn across the ground and piled up in front of doors.

The students stormed the building located along the South Lawn, which has been the scene of the university's anti-Israel encampment for over a week.

They quickly climbed the stairs, dragging down tables and chairs from classrooms which they then used to barricade the doors from the inside.

The building was locked down in less than five minutes, according to the student publication, and protesters allowed no one to enter.

At a Tuesday press conference, the NYPD stated some of the external agitators at the Columbia protests have been known to the force 'for many years.'

Assistant Commissioner Rebecca Weiner warned 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 of the external agitators.

'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.'

The force confirmed it remains on standby to assist the university should officials decide the enlist their help.

Police confirmed those occupying Hamilton Hall could be charged with trespass and burglary, while those in the encampment could be hit with trespassing and disorderly conduct charges.

Mayor Eric Adams warned external actors were sowing 'chaos' and he pleaded with protesters to disperse.

'They are actively creating serious public safety issues. Maybe some of the students don't understand what they are involved in,' Mayor Adams said.

'We urge those violating Columbia's order to leave the area and leave the area now. If you are a parent of guardian of a student please call your child and urge them to leave before the situation escalates in any way.'

In a campus update on Tuesday, President Minouche Shafik threatened those within Hamilton Hall with expulsion.

'Our top priority is restoring safety and order on our campus,' the update read.

'We made it very clear yesterday the work of the University cannot be endlessly interrupted by protesters who violate the rules. 

'Continuing to do so will be met with clear consequences. Protesters have chosen to escalate to an untenable situation–vandalizing property, breaking doors and windows, and blockading entrances–and we are following through with the consequences we outlined yesterday.'