Republican House members and other GOP lawmakers held a press conference Wednesday on the steps of the Low Library at Columbia University to tear into protesters’ support for Hamas terrorists, calling them an “absolute abomination.”
“If you are a protester on this campus, and you are proud that you’ve been endorsed by Hamas, you are part of the problem,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
“We see on this campus the hate-filled speech that is carrying through this country,” he added.
“I want Palestinians to be free too, from their oppressor: Hamas,” declared Lawler, of Rockland County. “Every single one of you students that support Hamas are an absolute abomination.”
“It is shameful — shameful — that you’d support a terrorist organization that butchered and beheaded and burned innocent women, children and babies,” he added.
Shafik met with the group of Republican lawmakers Wednesday, which included House Education and Workforce Committee Chair Virginia Foxx and Staten Island Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, after they accused the university of allowing hate speech and intimidation on campus, and of failing to protect Jewish students.
“After listening to her comments inside, it is clear that she has no intention of getting this university under control and ensuring the safety and well-being of every student,” Lawler said. “If the students are not safe, if the institution will not act, Congress has a responsibility to do so — and we will.”
“We just met with a group of students who told us that not only have they been bullied, but they’ve been, many of them, assaulted. They have been spat on. They have had to walk the halls of this campus to see swastikas painted,” added Malliotakis.
“These are clear examples of antisemitism and it’s shocking to see that it’s happening in the most diverse and welcoming city in America. It is truly outrageous.”
Johnson told reporters that if the “threats and intimidation are not stopped, there is an appropriate time for the National Guard” — and he would immediately call on President Biden to consider that action.
“We just can’t allow this kind of hatred and antisemitism to flourish on our campuses,” he said. “I am here today joining my colleagues and calling on President Shafik to resign if she cannot immediately bring order to this chaos.”
The demonstrators booed loudly at the Republicans as they spoke, erupting into chants of “We can’t hear” and “free, free Palestine” — at one point even screaming “Mike, you suck!” at Johnson.
“Enjoy your freedom of speech,” the House speaker responded good-naturedly. “Welcome to New York City,” Malliotakis joked to the speaker at one point, prompting him to reply gamely, “Yes, indeed.”
Columbia’s administrators have chosen to let the threats, the fear and the intimidation of the mob rule to overtake American principles like free speech and the free exchange of ideas and the free exercise of religion,” Johnson told reporters when asked about concerns that protesters’ First Amendment rights were under threat. “They have co-opted First Amendment arguments to protect genocide and to elevate the voices of antisemitism. They have proven themselves to be incapable of achieving their basic responsibility, which is keeping students safe.
