Anti-Israel Protesters Occupy Barnard College Building, Allegedly Assault Employee
A tense situation unfolded at Barnard College in New York City Wednesday evening as a group of over 50 anti-Israel protesters seized control of a campus building, leading to a reported assault on a college employee and subsequent demands from the protesting students. The demonstration, organized in response to the expulsion of two Barnard students, quickly escalated, prompting a strong response from college administration and raising concerns about campus safety and free speech.
The catalyst for the protest was the recent expulsion of two Barnard students who were involved in an earlier incident at Columbia University. In January, these students allegedly disrupted a Columbia University classroom, distributing flyers containing what has been described as hateful speech. This action led to disciplinary measures, culminating in their expulsion from Barnard College.
In response, Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) took to social media platform X to publicize the protest. The account shared videos depicting masked students inside a Barnard College hallway, creating a disruptive atmosphere through drumming and chanting via megaphones. The account also posted a list of demands, accompanied by a defiant message: "WE WILL NOT STOP UNTIL OUR DEMANDS ARE MET. FREE PALESTINE."
The students’ demands were multifaceted and aimed at reversing the disciplinary actions taken against pro-Palestine activists. Their primary demand was the immediate reinstatement of the two expelled Barnard students. Furthermore, they called for amnesty for all students who have faced disciplinary action for expressing pro-Palestine sentiments, regardless of the specific actions or speech involved. The students emphatically demanded that all charges against these individuals be dropped.
Beyond the immediate issue of disciplinary actions, the protesters sought to address what they perceive as systemic problems within Barnard College’s administration and disciplinary processes. They demanded a public meeting with Dean Leslie Grinage and President Laura Rosenbury, seeking a platform to voice their concerns directly to college leadership. They also called for the abolition of what they described as the "corrupt Barnard disciplinary process," demanding complete transparency for all current, past, and future disciplinary proceedings. This demand suggests a belief that the disciplinary process is biased or unfair towards students advocating for Palestinian rights.
The students made it clear that they intended to maintain their disruptive presence on campus until their demands were met, signaling a potential for prolonged disruption if the college did not concede to their requests.
The situation took a more serious turn when reports emerged of an assault on a Barnard College employee. According to a spokesperson for Barnard, a college employee was allegedly assaulted by protesters and subsequently required hospitalization. This incident heightened concerns about the safety and well-being of members of the Barnard community.
In addition to the alleged assault, Barnard officials expressed concern over the protesters’ actions in encouraging individuals to enter campus without proper identification. Robin Levine, Barnard College’s Vice President for Strategic Communications, condemned this behavior, stating that it demonstrated "blatant disregard for the safety of our community."
Barnard College administration took a firm stance in response to the occupation and alleged assault. Levine issued a statement indicating that the protesters had until 9:30 p.m. to vacate the building or face further action from the school. She emphasized that the college had made multiple attempts to de-escalate the situation, including offering to meet with the protesters and proposing mediation. However, according to Levine, the protesters refused these offers.
The events at Barnard College unfolded against a backdrop of heightened tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and ongoing debates about free speech on college campuses. Incidents like this one often ignite passionate discussions about the balance between the right to protest and the need to maintain a safe and respectful learning environment.
The occupation of the Barnard College building occurred on the same day as anti-deportation protesters blocked a Los Angeles freeway in response to what they perceived as a crackdown on illegal immigration by the Trump administration. While seemingly unrelated, both events reflect a climate of heightened political activism and a willingness to engage in disruptive tactics to draw attention to political issues.
The Barnard College situation also drew parallels to other recent campus protests and incidents involving allegations of anti-Semitism or anti-Israel bias. These events have often sparked controversy and accusations of double standards in how universities address different forms of speech and activism.
Ultimately, after a period of tense negotiations and warnings from college officials, reports from FOX 5 New York indicated that the protesters began leaving the building by 11 p.m. The departure of the protesters brought an end to the immediate crisis, but the underlying issues that fueled the protest remain unresolved. The incident is likely to spark further debate and discussion about the role of activism on college campuses, the limits of free speech, and the responsibility of universities to address complex and sensitive issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The events at Barnard College also raise questions about the potential for escalation in campus protests and the need for effective strategies to de-escalate tensions and ensure the safety of all members of the college community. The aftermath of the protest will likely involve further discussions between students, faculty, and administration as they seek to address the underlying concerns and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
