Columbia University has taken action against 65 students who were involved in a recent incident where anti-Israel activists caused disruption on campus. The protesters entered Butler Library and distributed materials that praised a supposed terrorist figure, leading to their temporary suspension.
During the protest, the group claimed to have renamed the library to “Basel Al-Araj Popular University.” The NYPD intervened by making 80 arrests, predominantly of females, with the individuals facing charges of criminal trespass. Out of the arrested protesters, 78 were given desk appearance tickets, while the remaining two were issued summonses.
Protesters at Columbia University handed out a pamphlet that glorified an alleged terrorist. (Fox News)
Homeland Security Investigations is requesting fingerprints and the names of those arrested to check their visa status.
Columbia University has not only suspended the 65 students but has also prohibited a number of alumni and individuals from affiliated institutions from accessing the campus due to their involvement in the disruptive demonstration.
Claire Shipman, Columbia’s acting president, said in a statement Wednesday the NYPD was called to help “secure” the library. She added that two university police officers were injured.
“Sadly, during the course of this disruption, two of our Columbia Public Safety Officers sustained injuries during a crowd surge when individuals attempted to force their way into the building and into Room 301,” Shipman said. “These actions are outrageous.”
In a separate statement, Shipman called out the library takeover as unacceptable.
Protest stickers were put on the doors at Butler Library on Columbia University’s campus on May 7, 2025 in New York City. Pro-Palestinian protesters held a demonstration inside the Butler Library on Columbia University’s campus, disrupting finals week. ( Indy Scholtens/Getty Images)
“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. We are resolute that calls for violence or harm have no place at our University,” Shipman said.
Fox News’ Greg Wehner, Alexis McAdams, Jennifer Johnson, Louis Casiano and Bill Melugin contributed to this report.
