Violence Erupts at Barnard College Amid Anti-Israel Protest Over Expulsions

Violence Erupts at Barnard College Amid Anti-Israel Protest Over Expulsions

A protest at Barnard College in New York City escalated significantly on Wednesday evening when a group of over 50 demonstrators apparently assaulted an employee during a takeover of a building on campus.

The protesters were advocating against the expulsion of two Barnard students who had previously disrupted a Columbia University classroom in January. During that incident, the students reportedly distributed flyers characterized by hateful rhetoric.

Chanting and Demands

Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine shared videos on social media platform X, showcasing masked students beating drums and chanting slogans through megaphones. Their high-energy rally aimed to garner attention for their demands.

The organization made their intentions clear by posting a declaration that stated, “WE WILL NOT STOP UNTIL OUR DEMANDS ARE MET. FREE PALESTINE.” These demands included an immediate reversal of the expulsions of the two students and an amnesty for all students disciplined for engaging in pro-Palestine actions or expressions.

Meeting with Administration Required

As part of their list of requirements, the protesters requested a public meeting with Barnard’s Dean Leslie Grinage and President Laura Rosenbury. They called for an overhaul of the existing disciplinary processes, which they labeled as corrupt. Their statement emphasized the need for complete transparency regarding current, past, and future disciplinary actions.

The students affirmed their commitment to continuing their disruptions across the campus until their demands received attention, stating that they were prepared to escalate their actions if necessary.

Incident Escalates into Violence

Reports indicate that during the protest, a spokesperson for Barnard verified that a college employee was indeed assaulted, which resulted in the employee being transported to a hospital for treatment.

Robin Levine, Barnard College’s Vice President for Strategic Communications, expressed concern about the situation, stating, “They encouraged others to enter campus without identification, showing blatant disregard for the safety of our community.” Levine’s remarks highlighted the risks posed to students and staff amidst the protests.

Deadline Issued for Protesters

In light of the escalating tensions, Levine announced that the college would allow the protesters until 9:30 p.m. to vacate the building. If they did not comply, the administration threatened to take further action to restore security on campus.

Levine noted that the college administration had made several attempts to engage peacefully with the protesters, offering to meet and even suggesting mediation. However, these overtures went unheeded, and the protests intensified.

Protesters Begin to Disperse

By 11 p.m., reports from FOX 5 New York indicated that some of the protesters began to leave the building voluntarily. However, the ramifications of the assault and the disruption to campus life were already apparent.

Repercussions and Future Actions

The incident at Barnard College reflects the growing tensions surrounding pro-Palestine and anti-Israel sentiments within educational institutions. As protests continue to unfold, the implications for student governance and campus safety remain a pressing issue.

The administration is currently facing pressure to address both the student concerns over disciplinary actions and the need to ensure safety and order within campus environments.

As the situation develops, both sides must weigh the importance of dialogue and peaceful protest against the potential for further violence and disruption in educational spaces. The outcome of this incident may set a precedent for how similar issues will be handled by institutions in the future.