Columbia University classes to be held virtually amid pro-Palestinian protests

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) – Pro-Palestinian protests are continuing for the sixth day at Columbia University, leading to all classes being held virtually on Monday, school officials announced.

The shift to virtual classes is an attempt to de-escalate the situation on campus, Columbia president Minouche Shafik said. All faculty and staff that can work remotely should do so, and all students who live off-campus should not come to campus, she added.

Protests at the school started last Wednesday, when hundreds of students pitched tents to speak out against Israel’s military action in Gaza. Protesters are calling on the school to divest from companies that they said, “profit from Israeli apartheid.”

Shafik called on the NYPD to help clear the demonstrators from campus. More than 100 protesters were arrested on Thursday, according to authorities.

All but two people who were arrested went peacefully, the NYPD said. They were all given summonses for trespassing, according to authorities.

Police clear pro-Palestinian encampment from Columbia, arrest protesters

People on the sidelines of the protest were verbally abusive toward police officers, NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell claimed.

“Students have a right to free speech, they do not have a right to violate university policies and disrupt learning on campus,” Mayor Eric Adams said last week.

An unauthorized encampment also popped up at the New School over the weekend. The New School president said they’re in dialogue with the students over their concerns, and no arrests will be made at this time.

The NYPD said it’s continuing to monitor protests at Columbia University and that there are no credible threats to the city at this time.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

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