Columbia University faculty members form a wall in front of the entrance to the on-campus encampment in support of Gaza.
Columbia University faculty members on Monday afternoon linked arms and formed a wall in front of the entrance to the on-campus encampment in support of Gaza as students vowed to stay despite threats of disciplinary action.
The university sent protesters a letter on Monday morning, warning that students would face suspension if they did not vacate the encampment by 2 p.m. and sign a form acknowledging their participation.
Protesters have vowed to keep their encampment on the Manhattan campus until Columbia meets their three demands: divesting funds from Israel, transparency in Columbia’s finances, and amnesty for students and faculty disciplined for taking part in the protests.
Similar demonstrations have erupted on college campuses nationwide after New York City police last week arrested protesters at Columbia’s initial on-campus encampment. The encampment returned last week, but Columbia University has thus far declined to send law enforcement in to clear it out again amid pressure from pro-Israel activists and politicians who allege that the encampment is a hotbed for antisemitism and dangerous for Jewish students. Protesters at the encampment blame “outside agitators” for any antisemitic comments, and maintain that the on-campus encampment does not feature any antisemitism.
