Two security officers were hurt in a “crowd surge” after a large protest broke out at a library on the campus of Columbia University in New York on Wednesday, officials said.
The Columbia Public Safety Officers sustained injuries when individuals “attempted to force their way into the building,” Columbia’s acting president, Claire Shipman, said in a statement. “These actions are outrageous.”
The pro-Palestinian protest broke out earlier Wednesday afternoon in the main reading room of the university’s Butler Library, according to the university and ABC New York station WABC.
WABC reported dozens of protesters were being led out in flex cuffs, and New York City Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry told the station that about 60 to 70 people were taken into custody. As of late Wednesday, authorities had not provided an exact number of people detained.
The university said the students refused to identify themselves or leave the building and eventually the university called in the help of the New York Police Department.
“Due to the number of individuals participating in the disruption inside and outside of the building, a large group of people attempting to force their way into Butler Library creating a safety hazard, and what we believe to be the significant presence of individuals not affiliated with the University, Columbia has taken the necessary step of requesting the presence of NYPD to assist in securing the building and the safety of our community,” Shipman’s statement said.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams issued a statement on social media.
“As I’ve said repeatedly, New York City will always defend the right to peaceful protest, but we will never tolerate lawlessness,” Adams said. “To our Jewish New Yorkers, especially the students at Columbia who feel threatened or unsafe attending class because of these events: know that your mayor stands with you and will always work to keep you safe.”
He said anyone protesting on campus who is not a student would be arrested.
The campus was roiled by protests last spring over the Israel-Hamas war. In late April 2024, pro-Palestinian protesters barricaded themselves inside Hamilton Hall, leading to several arrests. The students involved were later expelled, suspended or had their degrees temporarily revoked.
In March, the university ceded to demands from President Donald Trump’s administration for a host of changes at the school after a threat to withhold $400 million in federal funds.