On May 3, the New York State Senate’s Anti-Semitism Task Force, along with Republican Senator, held a press conference outside the gates of Columbia University in New York City. They called on Columbia University President Shafik to appear before the New York State Senate’s higher education inquiry hearing to explain the measures taken to prevent on-campus protests.
Chairman of the State Senate’s Anti-Semitism Task Force, Jack Martins, expressed concern for Jewish students at the university who have been put in danger without adequate protection from the university administration. He also highlighted that nearly half of the protesters were not affiliated with the university, indicating outside agitators were exploiting the situation.
Senator Bill Weber urged Democratic senators to stand together against anti-Semitism, emphasizing that the issue did not start on October 7, but had been escalating with reports dating back to last year. Weber stressed that Columbia University, receiving millions of dollars in funding annually, should not tolerate hate being perpetuated on its campus.
Member of the task force, Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, and a mother of four, expressed regret that the school did not take sufficient action before the situation worsened, leading to the tragic outcome of students paying tuition but unable to attend classes due to safety concerns.
Republican Nassau County Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip, a proud Jewish African American, condemned the protesters who desecrated the American flag on campus, emphasizing that such actions exploited the privileges granted by American citizenship and freedoms. 21-year-old Jewish student from Drew University, Emily Austin, stressed the irony that Jewish individuals, despite global awareness of the Holocaust, now require pleading for protection.
On May 1, nine Republican state senators co-signed a letter addressed to Democratic representatives of the New York State Senate, calling for President Shafik to explain her preventive measures for student protection following the recent conflicts in accordance with Senate Rule VII, Section 2.
The signatories of the letter included Republican state senators such as Robert G. Ortt, Thomas F. O’Mara, Joseph A. Griffo, Dean Murray, Peter Oberacker, Anthony H. Palumbo, Jack Martins, Bill Weber, and Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.