Columbia University calls police to arrest Pro-Palestinian protesters | World News

Police officers took protesters into custody late Tuesday night after Columbia University called in law enforcement to end the pro-Palestinian occupation on the New York campus. The dramatic scene unfolded shortly after 9 p.m. as officers, clad in helmets and riot gear, gathered at the entrance of the Ivy League university.

The protesters had been occupying Hamilton Hall, an administration building on campus, for more than 12 hours, extending their reach from an encampment elsewhere on the grounds that had been there for nearly two weeks. The New York Police Department received authorization from Columbia to take action before officers entered the campus, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The move by the NYPD came after the department had initially stated that officers would not enter the campus without a request from the college administration or in the case of an imminent emergency. The White House had earlier condemned similar standoffs at other universities, including California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, where protesters occupied buildings until police intervention resulted in arrests and significant property damage.

The nationwide campus protests began in response to Israel’s offensive in Gaza, with demonstrations spreading from California to Massachusetts. President Joe Biden and other officials have criticized the occupation of academic buildings, calling for peaceful means of protest. As negotiations continue at various universities, the outcome of these talks remains uncertain.