Columbia University Faculty Walk Out in Solidarity with Arrested Protesters
In a show of solidarity, hundreds of Columbia University faculty members walked out on Monday in support of students arrested at last week’s pro-Palestinian protest.
The protest, which took place on campus, was sparked by the arrest of dozens of students after the university called police to remove protest tents. The faculty walkout was a massive demonstration, with many professors expressing their anger and frustration with the university’s actions.
In-person classes at Columbia University have been suspended as a result of the protests, with the university announcing that remote classes would be held for the time being.
The protests at Columbia University are part of a larger wave of pro-Palestinian demonstrations that have been taking place on college campuses across the United States. These protests have sparked discussions about the balance between free expression and campus safety, with some students arguing that the university has overreacted in its response to the demonstrations.
Columbia University President Nemat Minouche Shafik expressed sadness over the arrests and condemned antisemitic language that has been used during the protests. However, students have argued that their protests are peaceful and inclusive, and have blamed “inflammatory individuals” for inciting the problem.
The ongoing demonstrations have divided students, with some supporting the protests and others condemning them. The university has been working to strike a balance between allowing for free expression and restoring safety for an inclusive campus life.
