On May 7, 2025, the New York Police Department detained at least 78 individuals at Columbia University following a major pro-Palestinian protest inside Butler Library. The demonstration was organized by the group Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), with protesters occupying the library’s reading room and renaming it the “Basel Al-Araj Popular University” after a Palestinian activist.
Protesters displayed Palestinian flags, hung banners, and called on the university to divest from companies linked to Israel. Many wore masks and keffiyehs as they entered the library, resulting in clashes with campus security. Two public safety officers were reportedly injured during the confrontation.
Acting Columbia President Claire Shipman condemned the protest as “outrageous” and requested police intervention. NYPD officers moved in, arresting dozens for trespassing and failure to disperse. Some of those arrested were not affiliated with the university.
The incident triggered strong reactions from political leaders. New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams criticized the protest for disrupting campus life and endangering safety. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also announced plans to review the visa status of foreign students involved.
This event is part of a wider surge in pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses across the United States. Columbia University is currently under federal scrutiny over its response to the protests, which may impact its public funding.
As tensions continue to rise, the university faces increasing pressure from both activists and political leaders over how it handles free speech and campus security.
