The situation at Barnard College escalated yesterday as the NYPD was called to clear out the Milstein Center following a bomb threat amidst an ongoing pro-Palestinian protest. The demonstration, involving more than two dozen protestors staging a sit-in, took a severe turn when the threat was called in, requiring an immediate police response. According to Fox5NY, the evacuation ensued around 5 p.m., resulting in several arrests of protesters who defied orders to leave the building.
Earlier, around 1 p.m., masked demonstrators had occupied the Milstein Center, as part of their demands for Barnard College to reinstate two students previously expelled for distributing anti-Semitic flyers in a Modern Israel History class. As reported by ABC7NY, the college's attempt to de-escalate the situation was met with a determination on the part of protesters, nine of whom were eventually taken into custody by NYPD for their refusal to vacate the premises.
Barnard College's president Laura Ann Rosenbury addressed the situation following the incident, emphasizing the toll such disruptions take on the college community. "Today has been unsettling and disturbing, and these continued disruptions take a toll on our community. The desire of a few to disrupt and threaten cannot outweigh the needs of the students, faculty, and staff who call our campus home. I urge us to come together with care and respect for each other rooted in our shared commitment to Barnard," Rosenbury stated, as obtained by Fox5NY.
In the face of these events, reactions have been mixed. The Barnard Student Government Association condemned the NYPD's presence on campus, labeling it as an "act of cowardice" in their statement last night. "Rather than engage in honest dialogue with our 'community of care,' you have chosen to betray your community," the SGA stated, according to ABC7NY.
On the other hand, Rep. Ritchie Torres voiced a contrasting opinion, stating, "If colleges like Barnard had a clear policy of expelling students who take over private property, the hostile takeovers would end in a heartbeat," according to his post on X. Classes at Barnard are expected to resume today, as mentioned by the Fox5NY.
