Tensions Escalate: Pro-Palestinian Protest Leads to Arrests at Columbia University

A pro-Palestinian protest at Columbia University's main library escalated Wednesday evening, leading to police intervention and multiple arrests. Protesters, many wearing masks, bypassed campus security to display banners and flags inside the opulent reading room.

Columbia's acting president, Claire Shipman, condemned the event, noting injuries to campus security personnel and criticizing the disruption during exams. The university called in NYPD officers after repeated requests for identification and departure from the site were ignored by protesters.

New York officials, including Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul, stressed the importance of peaceful protesting while denouncing violent and destructive acts. The protest raises ongoing concerns about protest policies and repercussions for international students involved in such demonstrations.

(With inputs from agencies.)