Protesters shut down Columbia University library

Columbia University’s Office of Public Affairs issued a statement Wednesday evening saying the school was responding to what it characterized as a disruption in the campus library. The incident took place in reading room 301 of Butler Library on the New York City campus, according to the statement. The school said Columbia’s public safety team had ordered those behind the disruption to provide their identification before dispersing. Anyone who refused to comply risked arrest, according to the school.

Who was behind the demonstration? As of late Wednesday afternoon, the school had not identified any groups or individuals involved in the protest. However, a group called CU Apartheid Divest posted several images and videos to social media. The group said it had just launched a new operation and was, in its words, reclaiming Butler Library for the people. The images appeared to show dozens of individuals dressed in black congregating in the reading room, their faces hidden by masks and keffiyehs. One image showed a demonstrator holding a sign that read, “Glory to our martyrs.” At least two students were seen standing on a table and holding bullhorns.

What do they want? In a series of demands posted in October, the group called for Columbia University to cut ties with companies that it says profit from Israel’s war with Hamas. Among other things, the group also calls for the school to cut ties with Israeli universities and academic programs.

Additionally, the group posted an image of a flyer demanding the release of Mahmoud Khalil, whom it characterized as a political prisoner. Khalil is a Columbia University graduate student who was arrested in early March for allegedly participating in anti-Semitic protests. A federal judge has ruled that Khalil can be deported, but Khalil is expected to appeal that ruling.

What are Jewish organizations saying? A social media account that claims to represent Jewish and Israeli students at Columbia University posted several updates on the situation Wednesday evening. The group posted videos showing several additional demonstrators gathered outside the library doors, apparently trying to push past public safety officials to get inside. An image showed the library doors handcuffed shut by public safety officials to keep demonstrators from storming in. The Jewish group also said demonstrators already inside the library were refusing to identify themselves and that other individuals who had nothing to do with the demonstrations were also trapped inside the library.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s report about pro-Palestinian protests popping up outside of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices.