On May 7, 2025, a pro-Palestinian protester at Columbia University resisted detention by Public Safety officers during a demonstration at Butler Library. The protest, organized by the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group, saw around 100 masked activists occupying the main reading room, chanting pro-Palestinian slogans, and displaying Palestinian flags. The protest disrupted university activities during finals week, leading to injuries of two Public Safety officers and prompting swift action from the university.
Columbia’s Acting President, Claire Shipman, condemned the protest, calling it “utterly unacceptable” and requested the NYPD’s assistance. Approximately 80 protesters were arrested within hours of the incident. The university’s response has sparked mixed reactions. While some have praised the decisive action to maintain order, others have criticized the involvement of law enforcement in a campus protest.
The Trump administration has expressed support for the university’s response, emphasizing the importance of maintaining security and discipline. However, civil rights groups and some faculty members have voiced concerns over the suppression of free speech and the treatment of student activists.
The incident has sparked a wider debate about the balance between campus activism and institutional authority, raising questions about how universities can manage political demonstrations while respecting the rights and safety of all students.
