Results for: Columbia University

Senator Marco Rubio has urged Columbia University President Minouche Shafik to refund students who missed out on educational services due to a month-long anti-Israel encampment on campus. The encampment involved antisemitic language, the takeover of a campus building, and pro-Hamas chants and signage. Notably, Jewish students were told to leave campus due to safety concerns. The university failed to respond to the illegal rioters until nearly two weeks later, leading to the cancellation of the undergraduate commencement ceremony and in-person final exams. Rubio, a potential running mate for former President Trump, suggests a refund of $6,400 per student for the three-week interruption in services.

The recent protests at Columbia University have drawn parallels to the campus crisis of 1968. The university’s administration failed to learn the lessons of the past, leading to a repeat of the mayhem. They need to prioritize education and free speech over pandering to radicals.

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik has finally broken her silence after the NYPD raids on the campus amid anti-Israel protests. Shafik called for more “empathy” from the student body and acknowledged the turmoil and tension that have impacted the entire community. She emphasized that students have paid an exceptionally high price, losing their final days in the classroom and residence halls, and expressed regret that the administration’s efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue were not successful.

Amidst escalating antisemitic incidents at American universities, House Republicans, led by Rep. Elise Stefanik, have denounced university presidents for failing to protect Jewish students and faculty. Speaker Johnson and the party have announced plans to hold higher education institutions accountable for their negligence, threatening to revoke federal funding and favorable tax treatment. This follows the recent chaos at Columbia University, where a pro-Hamas mob seized Hamilton Hall, prompting police intervention. Similar incidents have occurred at various universities, including Harvard, Cooper Union, the University of Southern California, Yale, and UCLA, fueling concerns about the rampant antisemitism within academia.

Police have cleared demonstrators from campuses at Columbia University and the City University of New York after weeks of protests against Israel’s war with Hamas. Dozens of police cars patrolled the University of California, Los Angeles campus in response to violent clashes overnight. At Columbia University, police marched onto campus late Tuesday to end the protests. About 300 arrests were made at Columbia and CUNY, according to Police Commissioner Edward Caban.

In a bid to address concerns about anti-Israel protests, authorities in New York City have arrested approximately 300 protesters at Columbia University and City College. Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD leadership cited a global movement seeking to radicalize young people, highlighting the involvement of professional agitators in the protests. University president Minouche Shafik initially opted to keep police off campus but later requested their assistance after protesters took over a building.

Police cleared the encampment and arrested individuals involved in criminal mischief, trespass, and burglary. The NYPD acknowledged the presence of external actors who escalated the situation, using tactics such as Black bloc attire, vandalism, and barricading.

Mayor Adams emphasized the need to prioritize public safety and remove those who should not be on campus. The incident sparked controversy, with protesters taking down the American flag and erecting a Palestinian flag. Adams condemned this action, reiterating the importance of the American flag and the need to uphold the country’s values.

Following the removal of student protesters from Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall, New York police provided an update. The incident, which lasted almost 24 hours, has sparked controversy and condemnation from the United Nations. In a statement, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed concerns over the disproportionate actions taken by police against anti-Israel protesters on US college campuses. Turk emphasized the need for addressing violence on a case-by-case basis, respecting freedom of expression, and ensuring safe spaces for all. Senator John Fetterman criticized the UN for failing to condemn Hamas’ actions while expressing concerns about the US treatment of anti-Israel agitators. Universities have begun implementing stricter measures to manage campus protests amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Late Tuesday evening, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) deployed to Columbia University and entered a building occupied by pro-Palestinian demonstrators. According to CNN, dozens of protesters have been arrested and loaded onto buses. Authorities were called in to restore order and ensure campus safety after the university reported vandalism, blockades, and threats to personnel.

Heavy police presence at Columbia University has heightened concerns of clashes with student protesters over pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The protests have spread to dozens of campuses nationwide and have resulted in numerous arrests and threats of expulsion. The seizure of Hamilton Hall by demonstrators has drawn criticism from the White House, which labeled it as an inappropriate approach to peaceful protest. The unrest has posed challenges for university administrators trying to balance free speech rights with concerns of anti-Semitism. Protesters at Columbia remain determined, vowing to stay until their demands, including divestment from Israel, are met. The situation has escalated, with police intervening to clear encampments and arrest protesters at several other campuses across the country.

Amidst escalating anti-Semitic demonstrations on college campuses, Congress has launched an investigation into the funding and actions of universities facing these issues. Prominent Democratic legislators, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, have refrained from visiting Columbia University, where protests have taken an alarming turn. Both Schumer and Gillibrand have condemned the antisemitism and violence, but their absence from the campus has drawn criticism. House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, have visited the university and called on President Biden to do the same. Several House Democrats have also expressed concerns, sending a letter to the university administration demanding the dismantling of an unauthorized encampment of anti-Israel activists. This situation highlights the ongoing debate over how to address anti-Semitism on college campuses and the role of politicians in responding to such incidents.