Fake bomb threat called during Pro-Palestinian protest at Barnard College

• A false bomb threat led to the evacuation of Barnard College’s library during a pro-Palestinian protest. The NYPD cleared protesters and investigated the credibility of the threat.
• The student group behind the protest, Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine, claimed the bomb threat was fabricated by Barnard administrators.
• Columbia University, affiliated with Barnard, condemned the disruption of academic activities.

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A faux bomb threat at Barnard College prompted the New York Police Department to evacuate the school’s library Wednesday, March 5. The incident occurred during a planned pro-Palestinian protest on campus.

Bomb threat at Barnard College in Manhattan

Barnard College issued a statement explaining that the threat coincided with masked individuals entering the Milstein Center and interrupting classes. Administrators attempted to deescalate the situation and issued warnings about the possible threat. However, despite the warnings, many protesters remained on campus. Barnard then contacted the NYPD for help.

The NYPD posted an advisory on X for everyone to avoid the area and if you refuse to leave, you will be arrested. Officers were seen on video entering the college with helmets and face guards while protestors chanted, “There’s only one solution,” and “No fascists USA.”

Another video on social media showed protestors inside the college’s library setting up an encampment before police arrived. 

NYPD officers spent about two hours clearing students and protesters from the campus while investigating the credibility of the bomb threat.

“There is currently no threat to the public,” the department said. “Please continue to avoid the area and expect traffic delays.”

Posts on social media showed people detained on campus, however, it is unclear if they were charged with a crime. 

Student group said bomb threat possibly planned

The student group who organized the protest, Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine, said the false threat was manufactured by Barnard’s administrators. They made claims students in the library weren’t evacuated and only those protesting were ordered to clear the area.

The group shared the email from Barnard College President Laura A. Rosenbury. The email described a very credible threat of a pipe bomb received at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Rosebury explained to students she told police not to arrest anyone on campus but rather use arrests as a last resort if people refuse to leave the premises.

Columbia University affiliation

Columbia University is affiliated with Barnard College. Although a separate institution, Columbia released a statement confirming the incident and said they are monitoring it closely.

“The disruption of academic activities is not acceptable conduct. We are committed to supporting our Columbia student body and our campus community during this challenging time,” the statement read.

Wednesday’s protest comes just a day after President Donald Trump said he will stop federal funding if the institution continues to allow them.

“Agitators will be imprisoned and sent back to the country from which they came,” Trump said on Truth Social.

The threat also extends to American students, he said they will be expelled and depending on the crime they will be arrested.

His post comes on the heels of the federal government launching investigations into schools with reports of antisemitism on campus. Columbia University is among the probe with the possibility of losing millions of dollars in aid. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said they have failed to protest Jewish students and they have been subjected to discrimination.