Columbia University Students Defy Orders to Vacate Protest Encampment
In a bold display of solidarity, Columbia University students continued their protest encampment on campus despite facing the threat of suspension. The university’s president, Minouche Shafik, recently stated that they will not divest from Israel, leading to protests erupting on campuses nationwide.
The protesters, part of the Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) coalition, were ordered to vacate their encampment by 2 p.m. on Monday or risk suspension and being barred from completing the semester. Despite these warnings, participants in the encampment defiantly chose to stay and continue their demonstration.
After the deadline passed, protesters were seen marching and chanting on the quad, with a small portion of the encampment being cleared for an upcoming commencement ceremony. Tensions were high as a student was spotted waving an Israeli flag in response to the protests.
President Shafik urged the protesters to voluntarily disperse, noting the impact on Jewish students and upcoming graduation celebrations. Talks at Columbia were at a stalemate, with some minor movements in negotiation noted. The university offered to review new proposals from students through the Advisory Committee for Socially Responsible Investing, but protest organizers rejected the ultimatum, criticizing the university’s scare tactics and lack of flexibility in negotiations.
The CUAD coalition made it clear they will not move until their demands are met or they are forcibly removed. The situation at Columbia University continues to escalate as students stand firm in their demands for divestment from Israel.
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