As I reported previously, NYPD police officers moved in to close down a pro-Hamas “encampment” on the campus of Columbia University. The alleged protesters were chanting in support of the terrorist group, while illegally occupying a large area. They also gave “honor to all the martyrs.”
“We will honor all the martyrs. All the children, sons and daughters.
We will honor all the martyrs.
All the parents, fathers, daughters.”@Columbia today. This is how the elite Ivory Tower student body now looks en masse. Visible and vocal solidarity with jihadis who bomb,… pic.twitter.com/UE6iDg55ej— Matthew Tyrmand (@MatthewTyrmand) April 18, 2024
We are now getting more information and photos of what happened, along with the reactions. It’s safe to say that the hysterical tears have begun.
Violence broke out between police and protesters. Many arrests have been made, while others are suspended. This includes the activist daughter of Rep. Ilhan. She responded by claiming that she was wronged.
i’m an organizer with CU Apartheid Divest @ColumbiaSJP, in my 3 years at @BarnardCollege i have never been reprimanded or received any disciplinary warnings
i just received notice that i am 1 of 3 students suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide.
— isra hirsi (@israhirsi) April 18, 2024
Welcome to the real life, Isra. It’s not always possible to get a warning before the hammer falls, especially if your behavior crosses into illegality. She was lucky that she wasn’t arrested or taken to jail, as this seemed to be reserved only for those who were violent towards responding police officers.
We’ve seen it time and again: these pro-Hamas simps can’t be anything but entitled, spoiled brats who don’t understand cause and effect. It’s no surprise that the tears flowed in the aftermath.
Columbia has DUMPED student belongings in a FUCKING. ALLEYWAY. pic.twitter.com/AlTsYH03nz
— *tired screaming* 🇵🇸 (@Ruth_Mensch) April 18, 2024
That’s some good stuff. Please, more of this is needed to restore some order. You should be thrown out of an alleyway if you take over a part of a campus illegally and refuse to leave. These pro-Hamas lunatics are lucky Columbia didn’t burn it down.
Unfortunately, this response from the authorities was not tough enough to stop the chaos in the long term. Others promised to return while some posted selfies of themselves smiling after they were suspended.
Suspended from Columbia club!!! pic.twitter.com/Uc5dkp05tC
— ايدن ❤️🔥 (@itsaidanbitch) April 18, 2024
A fascinating video showing the mindset of the suspended students at Columbia.
“They can put us in jail and we can come back again.” https://t.co/pMW7VLcXLR
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyDillon) April 18, 2024
In situations like these, suspensions are not enough. If charges are filed, expulsion will be necessary. Otherwise, the student may just continue to break the rules of the school and the law.
A large crowd is gathered outside of the jail to await the release of the terrorist supporters. They are so sure that there will be no real consequences.
🚨🇵🇸NOW: Hundreds have gathered at jail support waiting for Columbia student organizers to be released!
Police repression will never stop the movement to free Palestine! pic.twitter.com/o8SRNiZJi4
— Party for Socialism and Liberation (@pslnational) April 19, 2024
The NYPD and Columbia University did a good job, but it was not enough. This will only continue. People who repeatedly and blatantly break the law should be charged with crimes and prosecuted. It is not enough to continue making token arrests, which only result in their release later that day.