After pro-Palestinian demonstrators took over a portion of Columbia University's main library on Wednesday, New York police arrested dozens of them.
In a statement, University President Claire Shipman described the demonstrators' conduct as "outrageous" and said that two security officers were hurt when they broke into Butler Library on Wednesday.
Social media footage showed yelling demonstrators entering the library, several with masks and keffiyeh headscarves, violating a Trump administration restriction.
Mrs. Shipman stated that many of the protesters were not pupils and that she requested help from the NYPD.
According to the Columbia Spectator, a university newspaper, police arrested around 70 demonstrators.
"At the direct request of Columbia University, the NYPD is responding to an ongoing situation on campus where individuals have occupied a library and are trespassing," the NYPD stated on X.
Videos from the demonstrations showed demonstrators writing "free Palestine" on bookcases.
A standoff lasted for hours after public safety officers blocked the library's exit door and threatened to jail anyone inside until they produced their Columbia IDs, according to another video.
The president of Columbia University stated that "it is completely unacceptable that some individuals are choosing to disrupt academic activities as our students are studying and preparing for final exams," even if the protest was limited to a single room in the library.
Students were advised to avoid the library by Mrs. Shipman, who assumed the position in March following the resignation of the former president.
In a post on X, Mayor Eric Adams of New York City stated, "We will not tolerate hate or violence in any form in our city."
The demonstrators accused the institution of "violent repression" in a social media post, claiming that they had refused to present their identification to campus public safety officers and police.
The president of Columbia University stated that "it is completely unacceptable that some individuals are choosing to disrupt academic activities as our students are studying and preparing for final exams," even if the protest was limited to a single room in the library.
Students were advised to avoid the library by Mrs. Shipman, who assumed the position in March following the resignation of the former president.
In a post on X, Mayor Eric Adams of New York City stated, "We will not tolerate hate or violence in any form in our city."
The demonstrators accused the institution of "violent repression" in a social media post, claiming that they had refused to present their identification to campus public safety officers and police.
US President Donald Trump has taken issue with Columbia, saying that several campuses have allowed antisemitism and abuse of Jewish students.
Trump has previously threatened to withdraw approximately $400m (£309m) in federal funds for Columbia, as his administration continues to target those involved in prior college protests with deportation.
Following the Trump administration's announcement that it would withhold millions of federal funds, Columbia agreed to several demands in March, including a change in oversight of certain academic programs and a ban on face masks during protests.
Although several faculty members sued over the reduction, it is uncertain if the monies would be restored.
Last year, pro-Palestinian demonstrations against the US support for Israel and the war in Gaza took place on college campuses, with the New York institution serving as the focal point.
Additionally, on Tuesday, Trump ordered a review of Harvard University's federal financing and terminated $2.2 billion in government funding.
60 institutions have received warnings from the Trump administration that if they do not address claims of antisemitism on campus, their funding might be revoked.
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