Protesters at Columbia University demand that food and water be brought to their camp so they don’t “die of dehydration and hunger.”
The students called for “basic humanitarian aid” to be delivered to those illegally occupying Hamilton Hall. Tensions on campus rose again Tuesday after activists broke into and took over a historic university building.
The NYPD warned that the demonstration has been co-opted by “outside professional actors not affiliated with the university” who are deliberately attempting to agitate.
However, a spokesperson for the protesters insisted that Columbia is still “obliged to provide food to students who pay for a meal plan.”
‘Do you want students to die of dehydration and hunger or become seriously ill even if you don’t agree with them?’ the brazen spokesperson rhetorically asked university leaders.
Protesters at Columbia University demanded that food and water be brought to their camp so they would not “die of dehydration and hunger” during a press conference Tuesday.
The request came hours after activists stormed Hamilton Hall and forced the university to close its campus.
The protest spokesperson insisted that Columbia is still “obliged to provide food to students who pay for a meal plan.” Pictured: Pro-Palestine activists at the school gates on Tuesday.
The occupation was an escalation of unrest that has been rocking Colombia since April 17, when a camp emerged. Pictured: A Palestinian flag flies from a statue of Alexander Hamilton in front of Hamilton Hall on April 30.
‘If the answer is no, then you should allow the basics, it’s crazy to say because we are on an Ivy League campus, but what we are asking for is basic humanitarian aid. Could people have a glass of water?
The spokesperson addressed the media who had gathered at Hamilton Hall to question them about the occupation.
“It’s a question of what kind of community and obligation Columbia has to its students,” the spokesperson said.
“We are asking you not to violently prevent us from delivering basic humanitarian aid.”
The occupation is an escalation of unrest that has rocked the campus in recent weeks since an encampment emerged on South Lawns on April 17.
Protesters are demanding that Columbia divest from companies with ties to Israel or companies that profit from its war against Hamas.
More than 100 activists have already been arrested at the school since the camp began. Students have set up tents on the school’s main campus. NYPD officials broke up a first encampment. But university officials have promised not to take similar measures for the current protest.
The university gave students an ultimatum to leave, but few followed the instructions. Officials then began suspending students before a group raided Hamilton Hall.
“We will not leave until Columbia meets all of our demands,” one activist shouted from a balcony of the building after the takeover.
According to the Columbia Spectator, the group that managed to enter the building threw their belongings aside before beginning their immediate efforts to block the doors.
Images of the mass demonstration show sleeping bags, coats, backpacks and blankets scattered on the ground and piled up in front of the doors.
The students broke into the building on the south lawn, which has been the site of the university’s anti-Israel camp for more than a week.
They quickly ascended the stairs, dragging tables and chairs from the classrooms which they then used to block the doors from the inside.
The building was locked down in less than five minutes, according to the student publication, and protesters did not allow anyone to enter.
Students called for ‘basic humanitarian aid’ to be delivered to those illegally occupying Hamilton Hall
Protesters are demanding that Colombia divest from companies with ties to Israel or companies that profit from its war against Hamas.
The NYPD warned that the occupation could spread to other Columbia buildings or campuses across the country.
At a Tuesday news conference, the NYPD said some of the outside agitators at the Columbia protests have been known to the force “for many years.”
Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner warned that the occupation had the potential to spread to other buildings on campus, as well as other universities across the country.
“It’s not about what’s happening abroad, it’s not about the last seven months, it’s about a very different engagement with sometimes violent protest activities like occupation,” he said of outside agitators.
‘They have no right to be on campus and this violates university policies and, most importantly, presents a danger to students, the university and communities.
“When we look at what we saw last night, we think these tactics are a result of the guidance that these outside actors are providing to the students.”
The force confirmed that it remains on standby to assist the university should officials decide to request its help.
Police confirmed that those occupying Hamilton Hall could be charged with criminal trespass and theft, while those in the camp could be charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.
The occupants of Hamilton Hall have now been threatened with expulsion and could face criminal charges.
Mayor Eric Adams warned at a news conference Tuesday that the protests have been infiltrated by outside agitators.
Mayor Eric Adams warned that outside actors were wreaking “chaos” and pleaded with protesters to disperse.
‘They are actively creating serious public safety problems. “Maybe some of the students don’t understand what they’re involved in,” Mayor Adams said.
‘We urge those who violate Columbia’s order to leave the area and do so now. If you are the parent or guardian of a student, call your child and urge them to leave before the situation worsens in any way.
In a campus update Tuesday, President Minouche Shafik threatened those inside Hamilton Hall with expulsion.
“Our top priority is to restore safety and order to our campus,” the update said.
‘Yesterday we made it very clear that the work of the University cannot be endlessly interrupted by protesters who violate the rules.
‘Continuing to do so will have clear consequences. Protesters have chosen to escalate to an unsustainable situation: vandalizing property, breaking doors and windows, and blocking entrances, and we are carrying out the consequences we described yesterday.