Protesters at Columbia University are demanding that food and water be brought to their encampment so they don’t “die of dehydration and starvation.”
Students called for the delivery of “basic humanitarian aid” to those illegally occupying Hamilton Hall.
Tensions on campus rose again on Tuesday after activists broke in and seized the historic university building.
The NYPD warned that the demonstration has been co-opted by “professional, third-party actors not affiliated with the university” who are deliberately trying to agitate.
However, a spokesperson for the protest emphasized that Columbia is still “obligated to provide food to students who pay for a meal plan.”
Protesters at Columbia University demanded at a news conference Tuesday that food and water be brought to their encampment so they don’t “die of dehydration and hunger.”
The request came hours after activists stormed Hamilton Hall and forced the university to close the campus
The spokesperson for the protest emphasized that Columbia is still “obligated to provide food to students who pay for a meal plan.” Pictured: Pro Palestine activists at the school gate on Tuesday
The occupation was an escalation of the unrest that has plagued Columbia since April 17, when an encampment emerged. Pictured: A Palestinian flag flies from a statue of Alexander Hamilton outside Hamilton Hall on April 30, 2024
“Do you want students to die of dehydration and starvation, or become seriously ill, even if you don’t agree with them?” the spokesperson said.
‘If the answer is no, you should allow basic assistance. It’s crazy to say because we’re on an Ivy League campus, but this is basic humanitarian assistance that we’re asking for. Can people please just have a glass of water?’
The spokesperson addressed the media gathered in Hamilton Hall to question them about the occupation.
“It’s about what kind of community and obligation Columbia has to its students,” the spokesperson said.
“We ask them not to violently prevent us from delivering basic humanitarian aid.”
The occupation is an escalation of the unrest that has rocked the campus in recent weeks since an encampment emerged on the South Lawns on April 17.
Protesters are demanding that Columbia divest companies with ties to Israel or companies that profit from the war against Hamas.
More than a hundred activists have been arrested at the school since the camp began.
Students called for the delivery of “basic humanitarian aid” to those illegally occupying Hamilton Hall
Protesters are demanding that Columbia divest companies with ties to Israel or companies that profit from the war against Hamas
The NYPD warned that the occupation could spread to other Columbia buildings or campuses across the country
At a news conference, the NYPD said some of the outside agitators at the protest have been known to the force “for many years.”
Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner warned that the occupation had the potential to spill over to other campus buildings, as well as other universities across the country.
“This is not about what is happening abroad, it is not about the last seven months, it is about a completely different commitment to sometimes violent protest activities such as occupation,” she said of the external agitators.
“They have no right to be on campus and this is against university policy and most importantly, it puts students, the university and the communities at risk.
“Given what we saw last night, we believe these tactics are the result of the mentoring of students by these outside actors.”
The department confirmed that it remains on standby to assist the university if officials decide to seek their assistance.
Police confirmed that those occupying Hamilton Hall could be charged with trespassing and burglary, while those in the camp could be hit with charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct.
Residents of Hamilton Hall have now been threatened with eviction and could face criminal charges
Mayor Eric Adams warned at a news conference Tuesday that the protests have been infiltrated by outside agitators
Mayor Eric Adams warned that outside actors were sowing “chaos” and called on protesters to disperse.
“They are actively creating serious public safety problems. Maybe some students don’t understand what they are doing,” Mayor Adams said.
“We urge those violating Columbia’s order to leave the area and leave the area now. If you are a parent or guardian of a student, call your child and urge them to leave before the situation escalates in any way.”
In a campus update on Tuesday, President Minouche Shafik threatened those in Hamilton Hall with eviction.
“Our top priority is to restore safety and order to our campus,” the update said.
‘We made it very clear yesterday that the work of the university cannot be interrupted indefinitely by demonstrators who break the rules.
“If we continue to do this, there will be clear consequences. Protesters have chosen to escalate to an intolerable situation – destroying property, breaking doors and windows and blocking entrances – and we are continuing the consequences we outlined yesterday.”