Protests Erupt at Barnard College in New York City Over Anti-Israel Demonstrations
Additional protests erupted on Thursday at Barnard College in New York City after a group of more than 50 anti-Israel agitators occupied a building on campus the previous day. The New York Police Department (NYPD) made several arrests as tensions reignited, with approximately 100 anti-Israel demonstrators gathering in front of Barnard’s entrance. Protesters, wearing masks and keffiyehs, chanted slogans like "Free Palestine."
The situation grew increasingly chaotic as protesters marched from Barnard to CUNY’s City College campus to demonstrate outside Governor Kathy Hochul’s event. The event was ultimately canceled due to the anticipated unrest. Protesters were heard chanting criticisms of Hochul and slogans like "NYPD KKK," while attempting to breach police barricades and confront officers.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) condemned the protests in a post on X, writing, “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Pro-Hamas mobs have NO place on our college campuses. Barnard College & Columbia University must put an end to the antisemitic chaos on campus.”
Robin Levine, Barnard’s vice president for strategic communications, confirmed that a faculty member was injured during Wednesday’s protest and hospitalized, though no further details were provided. Levine stated that the protesters encouraged others to enter campus without identification, showing “blatant disregard for the safety of our community.” The college warned that if protesters did not leave by 9:30 p.m., officials would take “additional, necessary measures to protect our campus.”
The protesters reportedly began leaving the building by 11 p.m., according to FOX 5 New York. The demonstrations were linked to the expulsion of two students who disrupted a Columbia University classroom in January, allegedly distributing flyers filled with hateful speech.
Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine shared videos on X showing masked students in a hallway on Wednesday, beating drums and chanting through megaphones. The group also posted a list of demands, including the immediate reversal of the two expelled students’ punishments and amnesty for all students disciplined for pro-Palestine actions or statements. They also called for a public meeting with Dean Leslie Grinage and President Laura Rosenbury, as well as the abolition of what they described as a “corrupt Barnard disciplinary process,” demanding transparency in all disciplinary proceedings.
The students vowed to continue disrupting campus activities until their demands are met.
Fox News Digital’s Christina Shaw contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected].
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