As college students near the end of another academic year and Israel escalates its offensive in Gaza, pro-Palestinian protests have intensified across university campuses. Some demonstrations have led to arrests as police move in to disperse encampments.
Brooklyn College protesters arrested after encampment ordered off campus
The latest confrontation between protesters and police unfolded at Brooklyn College, where a pop-up encampment prompted police intervention. Cell phone video shows officers issuing a verbal warning to protesters to leave campus before being interrupted by pro-Palestinian chants.
According to The New York Times, physical altercations broke out as officers attempted to clear the site. Video showed officers and protesters on the ground, with demonstrators being pushed back after blocking police and refusing to move.
Police told the Times they were called to campus around 5 p.m. Thursday, leading to at least seven arrests. Seven others received court appearance summonses.
Brooklyn College stated that the protesters violated campus policy against tents, and requested police assistance to disperse the crowd.
“The safety of our campus community will always be paramount, and Brooklyn College respects the right to protest while also adhering to strict rules meant to ensure the safe operation of our university and prohibit individuals from impeding access to educational facilities,” the college said in a statement.
Developments from Columbia library takeover
This latest incident follows another high-profile protest at Columbia University earlier during the week of May 5.
Of the 80 protesters arrested there, one out of three are not verified Columbia students, according to a law enforcement source who spoke with Fox News. The source also said that 61 of those arrested were women.
On Wednesday, May 7, protesters occupied a Columbia campus library, claiming to have renamed it “Basel al-Araj” — referencing a Palestinian activist regarded as a martyr by Palestinians and labeled an alleged terrorist by Israel. According to the Israeli Defense Forces, al-Araj was accused of plotting attacks against Israel before being killed in a 2017 raid.
Protesters posted signs, distributed pamphlets and stood on desks while chanting pro-Palestinian slogans, according to witnesses in the library, while other students attempted to study for finals. Columbia University called in the NYPD to address the situation.
“Disruptions to our academic activities will not be tolerated and are violations of our rules and policies; this is especially unacceptable while our students study and prepare for final exams. Columbia strongly condemns violence on our campus, antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination, some of which we witnessed today,” Columbia’s acting president, Claire Shipman, said in a statement.
Homeland security requests fingerprints and names
Right to protest
DHS is requesting the names and fingerprints of student protesters to review and possibly revoke their student visas.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement official told Fox News that Homeland Security is requesting the names and fingerprints of the 80 individuals arrested at Columbia to verify if any are in the U.S. on student visas.
The Trump administration has already moved to revoke at least 1,800 student visas. While some students had visas revoked after attending campus protests or writing opinion essays against Israel’s war in Gaza, others were given no reason for the decision, and do not appear to be affiliated with protest movements. Some of those removal orders are currently being challenged in court.
