On Monday, April 30, protests against Israel continued to escalate at universities across the United States. Meanwhile, Columbia University and Cornell University have imposed suspensions on protesting students.
Columbia University previously stated that negotiations to end the demonstrations have reached an impasse, failing to resolve this polarizing protest activity.
Protesting students erected dozens of tents on campus, demonstrating against Israel’s conflict in the Gaza Strip. Columbia University President Nemat Minouche Shafik stated in a release that despite days of negotiations between student organizers and the administration, they were unable to convince the protesters to dismantle the camp.
On Monday morning, Columbia University issued a warning that if students did not evacuate the area by 2 p.m. Eastern Time and sign a form committing to comply with campus regulations, they would face suspension.
University spokesperson Ben Chang stated in an evening briefing, “We have begun imposing suspensions on students as part of the next steps to ensure campus safety.”
Chang added, “The camp has created an unwelcoming environment for many Jewish students and faculty, with loud noises disrupting teaching and final exam preparations.”
Earlier, Shafik had stated that Columbia University would not divest from assets related to Israel but was willing to invest in the health and education industries in Gaza, as well as make Columbia’s direct investments more transparent.
However, protesters vowed to continue camping on the Manhattan campus until Columbia meets their three demands: divestment, financial transparency, and no disciplinary action against participating students and faculty.
At a press conference after the 2 p.m. deadline, a student representative read a statement saying, “These disgusting intimidation tactics are meaningless compared to the 34,000 Palestinians killed.” “We will not leave until Columbia University meets our demands.”
Two weeks ago, after Shafik called on the New York City police to clear the protest camp, many students, faculty, and external observers strongly protested.
After more than 100 people were arrested by the police, students re-established the camp on the campus lawn within a few days.
Since then, from California to New England, students on dozens of university campuses have set up similar camps to express their anger.
However, other Jewish groups have countered that anti-Israel rhetoric often leads to or fuels open forms of anti-Semitic hatred and violence, and should not be tolerated.
Physical clashes between protesters and counter-protesters have occurred at some schools, with many protesters being arrested.
On the same day Columbia University announced suspensions, Cornell University, another Ivy League institution, also declared a suspension of protesting students’ enrollment because they refused to comply with the university’s requests to move the protest camp to another location.
President Martha E. Pollack stated, “Last Thursday, a group set up camp on the Arts Quad.”
Pollack said, “A student group had requested to place art installations there, which aligns with our policy; however, their request was not honest as they stated there would be no tents and the art installations would be removed by 8 p.m. on Thursday.”
Pollack mentioned that the university then provided another location, hoping the students would move the camp there.
She stated, “After obtaining approval, protesters could have stayed at the alternate location as per our policy to avoid disciplinary action.”
However, the protesters ultimately decided not to leave. Despite repeated reminders from the university that failure to remove the tents would lead to disciplinary action for violating the regulations.
Pollack said, “After fully understanding the consequences they would face, they once again refused to comply, and we immediately imposed suspensions on the first group of students.”
“Since last Thursday, we have been trying to engage with the participants deeply, and we will continue to do so. But we need to reach a resolution quickly to respect our policies, promote public health and safety in the community, and ensure everyone’s right to do their work.” Pollack said.