The first day of the fall semester at Columbia University erupted into chaos as pro-Palestinian protesters blocked campus entrances, vandalized the iconic Alma Mater statue, and clashed with police. The protest, organized by the university's chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), was part of an ongoing campaign to demand that the Ivy League institution divest from what they call "Zionist apartheid." The demonstration quickly turned disruptive, leaving many students and faculty unable to enter the campus, with tensions mounting throughout the day.
The protesters, many wearing keffiyehs and chanting slogans in support of Hamas, called for students to boycott classes. Flyers circulated on social media before the event, encouraging participants to “wear masks” and “shut it down.” The protest was a continuation of actions that began earlier in the year, with student groups demanding that Columbia cut ties with companies that do business in Israel. The protest escalated when a masked individual threw red paint on the Alma Mater statue, symbolizing what they described as “blood on the hands” of the university for its investments.
I am a 2000 graduate of Columbia University where I was also a Division 1 Varsity athlete. I have had nothing but pride over the last quarter century for having gone there or even to have gotten in there! – Pride for my studies, pride for learning other cultures, especially… pic.twitter.com/axeLXUPrlo
— Chinch4 (@Chinch4) September 3, 2024
SJP and CUAD leaders issued statements on social media, praising Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, calling for a revolution, and linking their actions to Palestinian resistance. "In the belly of the beast, we have the highest responsibility to crush the gears of this cold and unloving death machine and to build something new," one statement read. The groups expressed that they would continue their protests until the university fully divested from Israel.
As protesters blocked one of the main entrances to the campus, large lines of students and faculty formed, trying to make their way through security checkpoints. Video footage shared on social media captured heated exchanges between protesters and those attempting to enter the campus. Some protesters also clashed with police near the gates of Barnard College, Columbia’s sister institution. At least two protesters were arrested after they ignored police orders to back up.
Every foreigner on a student visa involved in these protests should be deported. You are our guest. You are not a citizen. You don’t get to come to our country, use or education system, and be a radical in your spare time.#ColumbiaUniversity pic.twitter.com/sH91x6LDI3
— Frank McCormick (@CBHeresy) April 26, 2024
The vandalism of the Alma Mater statue, a central landmark on Columbia’s campus, was claimed by a group called Unity of Fields. This group, which rebranded itself from Palestine Action US, describes itself as a militant front opposed to what it calls the "US-NATO-zionist axis of imperialism." Their actions on campus were part of a broader strategy to disrupt institutions they believe are complicit in the oppression of Palestinians.
Columbia University administration responded to the situation with a statement emphasizing their commitment to ensuring the safety of students and faculty, while also upholding the institution’s principles of free speech. Interim president Katrina Armstrong acknowledged the tensions on campus, noting that the administration was working on measures to secure a peaceful learning environment. She condemned the vandalism and reaffirmed the university’s stance against violence.
The protest was part of a larger wave of pro-Palestinian activism that has swept across U.S. college campuses in recent years. These demonstrations often turn controversial due to their support for Hamas, a group recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. While SJP and CUAD insist that their activism is focused on divestment and human rights, critics argue that their rhetoric often crosses the line into anti-Semitism, particularly when they openly support violent resistance.
As the academic year begins, it remains unclear how Columbia will address the ongoing tensions. With student groups vowing to continue their protests and the administration facing mounting pressure from both sides of the debate, the situation at Columbia reflects a broader cultural and political divide that is playing out on college campuses across the country.
