NYPD arrest over 100 at Columbia University protest after anti-Semitism hearing

New York Police officers arrested over 108 pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University’s campus on Thursday, New York Mayor Eric Adams said during a press conference. University President Minouche Shafik had written requesting help from the NYPD when more than 100 protesters occupied the university’s south lawn area for over 30 hours, Adams said. The Columbia Spectator, a daily college newspaper, photographed more than 50 tents set up on the university property since Wednesday. The demonstration began the same day Shafik testified before Congress about anti-Semitism on campus.

What were protesters charged with? The arrests were made without injury or incident and the individuals were charged with trespassing. Two protesters received additional charges of obstruction of governmental administration, Assistant Attorney General Colleen Faherty said. Among those taken into custody was the daughter of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. The congresswoman has not publicly commented on her daughter’s arrest but made a social media post supporting the demonstration on campus.

Dig deeper: Read my report from earlier this week about pro-Palestinian protesters blocking major thoroughfares across the country.