Columbia begins suspending Pro-Palestinian students after building occupation

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations continue in different universities across as in latest development students have occupied an academic building of Columbia University.

Following the occupations, a disciplinary action is being taken again the protesting students.

“We will not leave until Columbia meets every one of our demands,” one of the students heard yelling during the protest.

The demands include university divestment from Israel, disclosure of Columbia investments and protections for protesters.

According to local media, about a dozen students and two janitors were in the building at the time of protest.

Dozens of Columbia students and community members have barricaded themselves inside the Hamilton building to protest the University’s complicity in the genocidal war on Gaza. Hundreds of students are picketing outside the building as well as the encampment. pic.twitter.com/EheQvV8JW7

— Mohammed El-Kurd (@m7mdkurd) April 30, 2024

The janitors left the building shortly after the students entered.

The peaceful demonstration began around 12:30 a.m on Tuesday, the day after the university suspended students who refused to leave the Gaza Solidarity Encampment for nearly two weeks.

The encampment is a few hundred feet from Hamilton Hall.

🚨 HAPPENING NOW: Columbia University students have occupied a campus building, Hamilton Hall, the site of the historic 1968 occupation. The movement for Palestine stands strong! pic.twitter.com/yXmIN7gAIa

— The People’s Forum (@PeoplesForumNYC) April 30, 2024

About a dozen university public safety personnel surveyed the scene, and the New York Police Department were not on site.

“Shut it down!” hundreds chanted outside the building.

The students occupying Hamilton Hall at Columbia University have unfurled a Palestinian flag out the window.

Students supporting outside erupt in cheers. pic.twitter.com/IKRDHsIZIM

— BreakThrough News (@BTnewsroom) April 30, 2024

Classes were held in Hamilton Hall on Monday.

One of the protesting students was seen with a banner at a balcony window at Hamilton Hall that read “Hind’s Hall,” in honor of Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old who was killed in Gaza City following an Israeli bombardment.

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY: Students have taken over Hamilton Hall.

This escalation is in line with uprisings in 1968, 1985 and 1996, which Columbia repressed then and celebrates today.

All power to students putting their bodies and livelihoods on the line to stand against genocide. pic.twitter.com/YstaG9l9iZ

— Palestinian Youth Movement (@palyouthmvmt) April 30, 2024

“Today we take this building in honor of Hinds and every Palestinian martyr,” one of the students yelled.

A university spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.