Columbia University suspends students for refusing to leave protest camp

Last Updated on April 30, 2024 by Robert C. Hoopes

Protesters at Columbia University in Manhattan vandalized Hamilton Hall early Tuesday morning, just hours after the school started suspending students who refused to leave a pro-Palestinian camp on campus. The Columbia Spectator reported that dozens of protesters had occupied the building, with someone at the scene drawing parallels to the 1968 protest against the Vietnam War which also took place at Hamilton Hall.

Chanting “Disclose, divest. We will not stop, we will not rest,” the demonstrators hung a banner outside the building, renaming it “Hind’s Hall” in memory of a 6-year-old girl who was tragically killed in Gaza. The protesters declared that they were taking over the building in honor of Hind and all the Palestinians who have lost their lives in the conflict.

Despite the NYPD’s presence outside the campus around 2 a.m., the protesters continued their occupation of Hamilton Hall. “This building is now being liberated,” someone in the crowd proclaimed early Tuesday morning.

The protest at Columbia University comes amidst growing tensions surrounding the ongoing violence in Gaza, with demonstrators advocating for disclosure and divestment in solidarity with Palestinians. The scene at Hamilton Hall serves as a reminder of the power of peaceful protest and the determination of individuals to fight for justice and equality.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the university administration and authorities will respond to the protest and the demands of the demonstrators. Stay tuned to ‘My MBA Career’ for updates on this developing story.