Columbia University Suspends Students Over Library Protest \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Columbia University has suspended over 65 students and barred dozens more, including alumni, following a pro-Palestinian protest inside Butler Library. The demonstration led to multiple arrests and sparked disciplinary action from the school. Federal officials are now reviewing visa statuses of international students involved.
Quick Looks
- Over 65 students placed on interim suspension following a pro-Palestinian protest inside Butler Library.
- 33 additional individuals, including alumni and students from affiliated schools like Barnard College, have been barred from campus.
- Protesters forced entry, displayed Palestinian flags, and vandalized property with slogans like “Columbia will burn.”
- Police arrested around 80 people, mainly on trespassing charges, during the Wednesday evening demonstration.
- Columbia officials called the protest an “outrageous disruption” during final exam preparations.
- Interim suspension prohibits class attendance and access to university resources; duration remains undisclosed.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said visa status reviews and possible deportations are underway.
- Federal funding cuts and detentions tied to Gaza-related protests are already affecting international students.
- Columbia has not clarified when or how suspensions may be lifted, citing an ongoing investigation.
- The incident adds to growing tensions on campuses nationwide over Gaza war protests.
Deep Look
Columbia University has issued sweeping disciplinary action following a disruptive pro-Palestinian protest inside its iconic Butler Library, intensifying the national spotlight on American campuses amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
A university spokesperson confirmed on Friday that more than 65 students were placed on interim suspension, a status that bars them from attending classes, accessing campus, or participating in any university activities. An additional 33 individuals, including alumni and students from affiliated schools such as Barnard College, have been banned from Columbia’s campus.
While the university declined to specify the duration of these disciplinary actions, officials stated the measures were enacted pending further investigation.
Protest Sparks Campus Lockdown and Arrests
The controversial demonstration unfolded Wednesday evening when a group of mask-wearing protesters breached campus security, stormed Butler Library, and unfurled Palestinian flags while chanting and displaying banners. Videos and images circulating on social media show protesters placing signs on bookshelves and defacing furniture and picture frames, including the phrase “Columbia will burn.”
The protest, organized in opposition to the university’s stance on the Gaza conflict, prompted Columbia officials to request police intervention. According to the New York Police Department, officers in riot gear cleared the library, arresting roughly 80 individuals, primarily on trespassing and disorderly conduct charges.
School administrators condemned the protest as an “outrageous disruption”, particularly as students were preparing for final exams.
“This behavior is unacceptable and undermines our commitment to providing a safe, inclusive academic environment,” said a university official in a statement.
Federal Scrutiny and Political Fallout
The fallout from the protest has extended far beyond Columbia’s gates. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that his office will review the visa statuses of international students involved in the protest, raising the specter of deportation for those found in violation of visa terms.
This development follows a broader crackdown on international student protestors, particularly at elite universities. The Trump administration has already withheld federal funding from institutions seen as lenient on anti-war demonstrations and detained several foreign students across the country.
These federal actions highlight growing political pressure on universities to more aggressively manage and penalize student activism tied to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Columbia Balances Free Speech and Order
The protest at Butler Library is part of a broader wave of student activism at Ivy League campuses and beyond. While student groups argue they are exercising free speech rights to demand institutional accountability on Middle East policy, university administrators face mounting demands to ensure order and safety, especially in the face of property damage and disruption.
Interim suspension, according to Columbia’s disciplinary policy, is a temporary measure that prohibits students from entering campus or engaging in academic life. It does not imply guilt but is meant to protect the learning environment during an active investigation.
University officials have yet to confirm when a final disciplinary review will take place, nor have they clarified whether students could face expulsion or long-term bans.
A Broader Campus Reckoning
The Columbia incident reflects broader tensions on U.S. campuses, where protests related to the Gaza conflict have resulted in disciplinary actions, canceled events, and federal attention. As pressure mounts from both advocacy groups and government agencies, institutions like Columbia are navigating a volatile mix of civil rights, campus safety, and political optics.
With federal immigration officials now involved, the stakes are even higher for international students and alumni, as participation in protests could now come with life-altering consequences.
What began as a demonstration in a university library may now evolve into a national legal and political flashpoint, testing the boundaries of student activism, institutional discipline, and federal enforcement.
Columbia University Suspends
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