Pro-Palestinian Protesters Occupy Columbia University Library Reading Room

Library Occupation by Protesters

• 🎯 Pro-Palestinian protesters have taken over a room in the Butler Library at Columbia University.
• 💡 The occupation began around 3:15 PM, with at least 100 protesters participating loudly but peacefully.
• ⚠️ Individuals involved have been asked for identification and to disperse, with failure to comply potentially leading to arrest.

University Response and Stance

• 🏛️ Columbia University issued a statement calling the disruption "completely unacceptable" and stating that such actions will not be tolerated.
• 🔒 Campus security has detained two individuals so far.
• 🚨 The NYPD is present outside the campus, but has not entered as the university leadership has not formally requested their intervention.

Disruption of Academic Activities

• 📚 The protest is specifically disrupting academic activities within the library, impacting students studying for final exams.
• 📢 While the protest is isolated to one room, the chanting of protesters can be heard from outside the building.
• 🚶 Individuals not involved in the protest have been permitted to leave the library.