Police officers stand guard as demonstrators protest in solidarity with Pro-Palestinian organisers on the Columbia University campus, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in New York City, US on Apr 18, 2024. More than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested on Wednesday on the campus of Columbia University after its president authorized New York police to clear an encampment set up by students demonstrating against Israel's actions in Gaza.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said police made over 108 arrests, adding"there was no violence or injuries during the disturbance". Adams added students had the right to free speech but not the right to violate university policies. Police officials said the arrests were related to trespassing. "We are continuing to identify them and will be sending out formal notifications," a spokesperson of the university said in an email.
Alongside the proliferations of protests, human rights advocates have also pointed to a rise in bias and hate against Jews, Arabs and Muslims in recent months. The encampment was organized by a student-led coalition of groups, including Columbia University Apartheid Divest, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace.