Over 50 anti-Israel demonstrators occupied a facility at Barnard College in New York City and reportedly attacked a staff member on Wednesday evening.
These individuals were demonstrating against the removal of two students who disrupted a class at Columbia University by distributing flyers containing offensive content back in January.
Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine displayed videos on X of masked students in a hallway beating on drums and chanting on megaphones.
A “Free Palestine” flag hangs inside a building at Barnard College. (X/Columbia Jewish & Israeli Students)
A spokesperson for Barnard said the protesters had assaulted a college employee who ended up being sent to the hospital.Â
“They actively urged others to enter the campus without proper identification, displaying a clear lack of concern for the well-being of our community,” remarked Robin Levine, the Vice President for Strategic Communications at Barnard College, in an official statement.
Students try to enter the door of a building at Barnard College in New York City. (Eisha (Lishi) Baker via Storyful)
Levine said she would give them until 9:30 p.m. to leave the building or the school would take other actions.Â
“We have made multiple good-faith efforts to de-escalate. Barnard leadership offered to meet with the protesters,” Levine’s statement said. “They refused. We have also offered mediation.”
The protesters began leaving the building by 11 p.m., according to reports by FOX 5 New York.
