NYPD arrests pro-Palestinian demonstrators after Columbia University library protest

Columbia University called in the police on Wednesday during a pro-Palestinian protest — resulting in multiple arrests, per the NYPD.The big picture: Demonstrators occupied part of the university's main library, in resemblance to protests last spring that saw Columbia become the epicenter of nationwide campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war.Tensions have been rising since the Trump administration in recent weeks pulled some $400 million in federal funding from the university over allegations of antisemitism and after federal agents arrested a Columbia protest leader.Driving the news: The NYPD said it responded to the campus at the "direct request" of the university as individuals occupied Columbia's Butler Library and were accused of trespassing."Multiple individuals who did not comply with verbal warnings by the NYPD to disperse were taken into custody," a department spokesperson said in an emailed statement Wednesday evening. The NYPD did not immediately provide details on the number of people arrested or specifics on what they're accused of.Two Columbia public safety officers sustained injuries, said Claire Shipman, newly appointed acting president of Columbia, in a statement.The university requested NYPD's presence "due to the number of individuals participating in the disruption inside and outside of the building, a large group of people attempting to force their way into Butler Library creating a safety hazard, and what we believe to be the significant presence of individuals not affiliated with the University," Shipman said.Zoom in: A campus protest movement, Columbia University Apartheid Divest, said on social media that it occupied the library to "show that as long as Columbia funds and profits from imperialist violence, the people will continue to disrupt Columbia's profits and legitimacy."What they're saying: "Disruptions to our academic activities will not be tolerated and are violations of our rules and policies," Shipman said."Columbia strongly condemns violence on our campus, antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination, some of which we witnessed today," she added.New York City Mayor Eric Adams said on X that while the city "will always defend the right to peaceful protest," it "will never tolerate lawlessness."In photos: Scenes from Wednesday's protest at Columbia Police push back protesters as they gather outside of Columbia University's Butler Library after pro-Palestinian protesters occupied the space on May 7 in New York City. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images Protestors gather outside of Columbia University's Butler Library. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images A person is detained outside of Butler Library after crowds of protesters grew into a standoff with security. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images NYPD officer looks on as protesters gather outside of Butler Library after pro-Palestinian protesters occupied the space. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images A person is detained outside of Columbia University's Butler Library. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesFlashback: Columbia expels some students involved in building takeover in 2024 protestsEditor's note: This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

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