Pro-Palestinian Protesters Push into Barnard College Building, Injuring Employee
Protesters Enter Milbank Hall, Demand Meeting with College Officials
Pro-Palestinian protesters wearing kaffiyeh scarves and masks pushed their way into Barnard College’s Milbank Hall, which houses the offices of the dean, and assaulted a school employee on Wednesday, according to the college.
Barnard College Takes Measures to Protect Campus
The school had warned that if the students were not gone by 9:30 p.m., officials could be forced to take “additional, necessary measures to protect our campus.” The student group Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine said on the social platform X that protesters dispersed after the administration agreed to meet with them Thursday afternoon.
Protesters’ Demands
The demonstrators demanded amnesty for all students disciplined for pro-Palestinian action; a meeting with the college’s president and dean; and the reversal of the expulsion of two students, according to the group. “WE WILL NOT STOP UNTIL OUR DEMANDS ARE MET. FREE PALESTINE,” it posted on X earlier in the day.
Employee Injured, Hospitalized
An employee was sent to the hospital after being assaulted by the protesters, Barnard’s vice president for strategic communications, Robin Levine, said in a statement, without offering details. The protesters also encouraged other people to come on campus without identification, Levine added.
Barnard’s Offer
Barnard leadership offered to meet with the protesters – just as they meet with all members of their community – on one simple condition: remove their masks, Levine said earlier in the evening. “They refused. We have also offered mediation,” she added.
Videos and Images
Videos posted by the student group showed people wearing masks and kaffiyehs chanting in a hallway. Some banged on drums, while others held megaphones. Palestinian flags were hung on the walls, and slogans were scrawled on walls with messages such as “Barnard funds genocide” and “Free Palestine.”
Background
Barnard, a women’s liberal arts college, is an affiliate of Columbia University, which last year was the site of a pro-Palestinian encampment and protests that included a building takeover and clashes with police.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the college and the student group, which has been pushing for greater support for the Palestinian cause. While the protesters have expressed their demands, the college has maintained that their actions are unacceptable and pose a threat to the safety of the campus community.
FAQs
* What happened during the protest?
+ Pro-Palestinian protesters pushed into Barnard College’s Milbank Hall, assaulted a school employee, and made demands for amnesty, a meeting with college officials, and the reversal of the expulsion of two students.
* What were the protesters’ demands?
+ Amnesty for all students disciplined for pro-Palestinian action, a meeting with the college’s president and dean, and the reversal of the expulsion of two students.
* What was the college’s response?
+ The college offered to meet with the protesters, but only if they removed their masks, which they refused. The college also offered mediation.
* What was the outcome of the protest?
+ The protesters dispersed after the college agreed to meet with them Thursday afternoon, and the employee injured during the protest was sent to the hospital.
