Gaza Solidarity Encampment
The Gaza Solidarity Encampment of 2024 has been the most significant of the protests that have taken place on Columbia's Morningside campus to express support for Palestinians, condemn Israel's occupation of the Gaza strip, and demand the school's divestment from Israel following the Israel-Hamas war that started on October 7th, 2023. Starting on April 17th, 2024, this protest was special because it took the form of an encampment where students planned to stay in tents day and night on the eastern part of South Lawn until the school met their demands. The encampment was disrupted on April 18th when President Minouche Shafik authorized the NYPD to take action, but quickly was reestablished on the western part of the lawn. However, the protest escalated with the occupation of Hamilton Hall on the night between April 29 and April 30 and the NYPD was again called in the next night to clear both the encampment and the occupation.
Contents
Timeline
April 17
Around 4 AM
Approximately 50 tents were set up on East South Lawn. Protestors put up banners reading "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" and "Liberated Zone". A substantial NYPD presence was noted outside the university as soon as the encampment had been established.
Morning-Noon
Columbia President Minouche Shafik testified in the Congressional House of Representatives antisemitism probe. Her testimony, which sought to establish that she would be tougher on antisemitism (which was very broadly defined by members of the House as potentially including criticism of Israel) than it was perceived other Ivy League presidents had been, in retrospect set the tone for a harsh response on the protests that was later to take place.
Evening
The university begins handing out formal letters informing the students participating in the protest that if they do not stop immediately, they will be subject to sanctions up to and including suspension from the school.
April 18
In a letter, Shafik authorizes the NYPD to intervene. Starting at around 1PM, the NYPD's NYPD's Strategic Response Group enters the encampment and begins arresting protesters who refuse to leave. A group of Jewish counterprotesters congregated to celebrate the university's response, waving American and Israeli flags. A protest on 114th Street and Amsterdam Avenue formed, but was dispersed to allow buses with detained protesters to exit. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators recovered signage and repitched several tents. After many arrests, the lawn was cleared and obstacles were placed down by the university, presumably to prevent another encampment.
Protesters soon begin gathering on West South Lawn, continuing to chant in support of Palestine and waiving flag, but without setting up tents.
Most exterior campus gates are closed, and Public Safety Officers guard remaining entrances and restrict campus access to CUID holders. A similar practice was observed during earlier protests, but the number of open gates is now significantly lower.
In a press conference, NYC Mayor Eric Adams, alongside top New York Police Department officials, announces that police made more than 108 arrests during the sweep of the encampment.
At around 7:30 PM, the Student Affairs Committee sends out an email to all students, condemning the university's decision to bring police onto campus.
April 19
Protesters remained on West South Lawn.
At around 1:30 PM, University Senator Jalaj Mehta sent out an email "In collaboration with several Columbia University Student Senators" to all students, condemning the university's decision to bring police onto campus.
At around 5:45 PM, Assistant Director of Student Engagement Julia Dooley announced the cancellation of the Activities Fair scheduled for Sunday, April 21st as part of the annual Days on Campus event.
Later that day, Columbia begins issuing formal notices of interim suspension to students having participated in the encampment.
April 20-28
Negotiations with the administration took place.
April 29
Shafik announced that negotiations failed. That night, students occupied Hamilton Hall, in a major escalation of the protests, renaming it "Hind's Hall" after a Palestinian girl who had been killed in the Gaza war. A second encampment was also established on Lewisohn Lawn.
April 30
The university authorized NYPD to come back to campus. The police cleared Hamilton and removed the encampment.
Reaction and effects
The Columbia Gaza protests garnered significant national attention. They led to major politicians arriving on campus to engage with protesters or condemn them, including the Speaker of the House, who gave a speech on the Low Steps. The police clearances of the protests also garnered significant national media attention. There has been significant controversy and comparisons to the legendary 1968 protests, which similarly ended with forceful police action.
The Columbia protests were among the first such actions on a university campus to garner such attention and similar themes involving the establishment of encampments, building occupations, and police action have characterized Gaza protests across the country and even world.
Sources
- A history of the protest from New York Magazine, as compiled by Spectator journalists
- Hundreds of protesters occupy South Lawn, call for divestment from Israel during Shafik testimony - Columbia Daily Spectator
- Columbia University president testifies in House antisemitism probe - CNN
- Shafik authorizes NYPD to sweep ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment,’ officers in riot gear arrest over 100 - Columbia Daily Spectator
- Adams, NYPD announce over 108 arrests during ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment’ sweep - Columbia Daily Spectator
- ‘Days on Campus’ programming limited following on-campus protests, arrests - Columbia Daily Spectator
- Columbia begins formally notifying students of suspension for participation in Wednesday’s ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment’ - Columbia Daily Spectator
