Columbia Campus Locked Down After Anti-Israel Protesters Take Over Hamilton Hall

The White House firmly condemned the mob of anti-Israel protesters who violently seized Columbia University’s iconic Hamilton Hall late Monday, declaring that hate speech and symbols hold no place in America. The incident, which unfolded on Monday night, saw a massive group of anti-Israel students forcibly enter the academic building and barricade its doors, effectively holding a facilities worker hostage. Outside Hamilton Hall, the protesters formed a human barricade by linking arms and vowing to remain until the university met their three demands: divestment from Israel, increased transparency in university investments, and blanket amnesty for their actions. In response to the takeover, Columbia University initiated an indefinite lockdown of its campus buildings, restricting access to only essential personnel and students residing in on-campus housing. The university cited ongoing safety concerns as the reason for this measure. President Biden has not publicly commented on the protests, but the White House released a statement on his behalf condemning the use of anti-Semitic rhetoric and emphasizing the importance of peaceful and lawful protests. The statement further stressed that forcibly occupying buildings is unacceptable and that hate speech has no place in America. Meanwhile, the protesters have rebranded Hamilton Hall following their occupation, marking the latest escalation in their ongoing demonstrations. The university had previously given the students a deadline of 2 p.m. to clear their encampment, threatening suspensions if they failed to comply. Columbia University was the first elite college where students erected an encampment, demanding divestment from Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has resulted in significant casualties in the Gaza Strip.