NYC Headlines: Columbia University Commencement, NJ Rep Assault Charges, and Housing Costs

Columbia University Commencement

• 🎓 Columbia University faculty and students are reflecting on a turbulent academic year as commencement ceremonies conclude.
• 🗣️ Interim President Claire Shipman delivered remarks that included pointed critiques of the Trump administration, emphasizing the importance of freedom of thought and the exploration of knowledge.
• 🚶 Some graduates protested Shipman's remarks, feeling her words were hollow, and walked out of the ceremony.
• 🏛️ The administration had previously moved to cut funding, citing concerns about the university's failure to protect students from anti-semitism.

NJ Representative's Legal Troubles

• ⚖️ New Jersey Representative LaMonica McIver appeared in court on charges of assaulting federal officers.
• 🚨 The charges stem from an incident on May 9th outside an immigration detention center where prosecutors allege McIver intervened in an arrest and physically confronted US immigration and Homeland Security officers.
• 🚫 McIver denies the allegations, calling them an act of political intimidation.
• ✅ Federal charges of trespassing against Newark Mayor Ross Baraka were dismissed at the request of US attorneys, with the judge calling the dismissal request an