Pro-Palestinian demonstrators seize control of Columbia University building | US News
Protestors advocating for Palestine took control of a university building in the US as part of ongoing demonstrations at college campuses against the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The group blocked the entrance of a building at Columbia University in New York on Tuesday and displayed a Palestinian flag from a window.
Footage showed protestors on the Manhattan campus forming a barrier in front of Hamilton Hall and moving furniture and barricades to the building.
For the latest updates: Possible agreement between Israel and Hamas
Protestors blocking the entrance of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University. Pic: AP
Pic: AP
A group named Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) announced that Hamilton Hall was being referred to as “Hind’s Hall” in memory of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old girl who died in a Gaza strike in February.
The student-run radio station broadcasted live coverage of the hall’s occupation, which took place after a deadline for the protestors to vacate a campsite with around 120 tents or face suspension.
Protestors displaying a flag reading ‘Hind’s Hall’. Pic: Reuters
Protestors at Hamilton Hall. Pic: Reuters
The demonstrators expressed their intention to stay at the hall until the university met CUAD’s three demands: divestment, financial transparency, and amnesty.
A 22-year-old protestor, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared with Sky News that she has family in Gaza and will continue to protest until the conflict ends and Columbia University agrees to divest.
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Israel-Hamas war divides US universities
“We have people of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faith, as well as those with no religious affiliation, standing in solidarity with me, supporting the injustice in Palestine,” she stated.
“We are committed to being here until we achieve peace and justice. Despite threats of suspension, we stand up for human rights.”
For more information:
Reasons behind university protests in the US
Eyewitness report: Lack of nuance in university protests
Several individuals were arrested on Monday during protests at universities in Texas, Utah, Virginia, and New Jersey, while Columbia had started suspending students prior to the takeover of Hamilton Hall.
Police took action to disband a campsite at Yale University in Connecticut on Tuesday morning, with no immediate reports of arrests.
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The campus protests emerged as a reaction by some students to Israel’s actions in Gaza following an attack by Hamas on southern Israel on 7th October.
