Following a series of heated protests at Barnard College and Columbia University, tensions heightened as demonstrations continued for the second day. According to a report by ABC7NY, protesters gathered outside Barnard College to rally support for a "free Palestine" while also objecting against the NYPD's presence on campus.
The protests, which saw nine people arrested the day before for obstructing governmental administration, trespass, and disorderly conduct, have been a persistent feature at the esteemed institutions. A spokesperson for Columbia University stated that the Morningside campus protest yesterday lasted for roughly 90 minutes, with campus life otherwise continuing as planned. On the other hand, security protocols were strictly enforced at Barnard College, as only students with proper identification were allowed entry, and anyone attempting to enter quickly with a face covering will be denied entry unless their face matches the photo on their ID.
Yesterday's demonstration aimed to underscore the response to previous events in which students faced expulsion for disseminating antisemitic literature. "So, this is the first time that Barnard College has expelled someone for political protest, and we are seeing heightened repression, especially with the Trump administration," one protester told ABC7NY. The community is split, with some local residents like Avi Lichtschein expressing concern over the antisemitism on campus and the resultant upheaval.
Amidst the controversy, it was revealed by The New York Post that several arrested individuals were not Barnard students and came from privileged backgrounds. Among the arrested, Alexander Nanci-Marr, whose family started the successful Hampton Jitney bus service, and Columbia class of 2025 president Gabrielle Wilmer, were included in this group. Christopher Holmes, another arrested protester with a history of similar run-ins with law enforcement, drew attention for his radical stance and prior arrests during on-campus demonstrations.
