New York law enforcement has detained and arrested more than 100 protesters who were protesting against Israel near the home of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and despite the marches with flares towards the Big Apple Police headquarters last Monday, radical left congressmen such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and Jamaal Bowman even condemned the police action, warning that it is endangering the lives of the participants in "nonviolent demonstrations" because of a "heinous failure of leadership."
Calling in police enforcement on nonviolent demonstrations of young students on campus is an escalatory, reckless, and dangerous act.
It represents a heinous failure of leadership that puts people’s lives at risk. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) April 24, 2024
Flares towards NYPD headquarters
Police reported the arrest of dozens of participants in the protests at Columbia University in recent days, a hundred of them (300, according to Freedom TV ) for participating in a rally near Schumer's home. During the day on Monday, more than 150 protesters were arrested and, in the early morning, hundreds of them gathered with flares and headed towards the New York Police headquarters demanding the release of their arrested colleagues.
Happening Now: Pro-Hamas Protesters Light Up Flares Outside of Columbia University in NYC. @Columbia #proHamas #protest #IsraelAtWar @NYPDnews
Follow the TJNEWS WHATSAPP GROUP 🔗 https://t.co/jesT9DsCP5 TELEGRAM 🔗 https://t.co/x9yrB4rD4X https://t.co/726RFVWyaj— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) April 18, 2024
Ultimatum to dismantle tent camp in Columbia
On campus, in what the rebel students have called the "liberated zone," clashes also occurred when several agents tried to dismantle the tent camp. The University gave until midnight on April 24 to dismantle it, a deadline that was extended to 8 in the morning while new students tried to gain access to join their classmates. The academic leaders and student representatives held negotiations throughout the night. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that he will meet with Jewish students to learn first-hand about their situation.
Shortly before the second deadline, authorities announced an agreement to begin 'dismantling and removing a significant number of tents' starting Wednesday morning. They also extended the deadline by an additional 48 hours to continue negotiations. According to CNN, the university highlighted that the students "have taken steps to make the camp welcoming to all and have banned discriminatory or harassing language." In addition, the students have agreed to comply with the security requirements of the police, who remain around the facilities and "they will ensure that those not affiliated with Columbia will leave."
Hundreds Rush to Columbia Encampment as Midnight Deadline to Disperse Approached
As a midnight deadline at Columbia University Encampment to REACH AGREEMENT on how to disperse approached, hundreds of students rushed to the lawn for support. Deadline was extended to 8am, with no… pic.twitter.com/8bU4RsNTTo
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) April 24, 2024
The Squad supports the protesters
University authorities have announced that classes will resume in a hybrid model for the remainder of the semester due to the situation. However, radical members of The Squad perceive it differently, viewing 'anti-war' students as victims of "repression."
In addition to AOC, her colleagues Bowman, Cori Bush and Rashida Tlaib charged against the agents and those calling for greater force against the protesters. Bush accused "agitators" of infiltrating the protesters to discredit and weaken the message.
I condemn any potential police action on Columbia University's campus. As an educator who personally experienced the over policing of our schools, this is personal to me. We must resist right-wing demagoguery and stop suppressing peaceful protest if we are to keep students safe.
— Congressman Jamaal Bowman (@RepBowman) April 24, 2024
As a Ferguson activist, I know what it’s like to have agitators infiltrate our movement, manipulate the press, & fuel the suppression of dissent by public officials & law enforcement.
We must reject these tactics to silence anti-war activists demanding divestment from genocide.
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) April 23, 2024
From UM to Vanderbilt to USC to Columbia, students across our country are being retaliated against for using their constitutional rights to protest genocide. It’s appalling. https://t.co/Z4qKDCK1IF
— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) April 18, 2024
