Columbia University students protesting Israel-Hamas war on campus could face expulsion

NYPD officers detain people as they evict a building that had been barricaded by pro-Palestinian student protesters at Columbia University, in New York City on April 30, 2024. New York police entered Columbia University's campus late April 30, 2024 and were in front of a building barricaded by pro-Palestinian student protesters, an AFP reporter saw. Dozens of people were around Hamilton Hall, on the Columbia campus in the middle of New York City, as police arrived and began pushing protesters outside, the reporter said.

Police detain protestors, as other police officers enter the campus of Columbia University, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in New York City, U.S., April 30, 2024.

Two people embrace across the street from Columbia University as hundreds of police officers gathered at the university to rid the campus of protesters on April 30, 2024.

NYPD officers in riot gear break into a building at Columbia University, where pro-Palestinian students are barricaded inside a building and have set up an encampment, in New York City on April 30, 2024. Columbia University normally teems with students, but a "Free Palestine" banner now hangs from a building where young protesters have barricaded themselves and the few wandering through campus generally appear tense. Students here were among the first to embrace the pro-Palestinian campus encampment movement, which has spread to a number of universities across the United States.

Police in riot gear enter Hamilton Hall on Columbia University in New York on April 30, 2024.Students at Columbia were among the first to embrace the pro-Palestinian campus encampment movement, which has spread to a number of universities across the United States.

Protest signs outside an entrance to Columbia University in Manhattan April 30, 2024. The university restricted access to the campus to students who live on campus and other essential personnel after student protesters took over Hamilton Hall on the campus early Tuesday morning.

A Columbia University student gains access to the campus April 30, 2024. The university restricted access to students who live on campus and other essential personnel after student protesters took over Hamilton Hall on the campus early Tuesday morning.

A sign hangs from Hamilton Hall at Columbia University in Manhattan April 30, 2024 after student protesters took over the building early Tuesday morning. The protesters occupied the building after the university began suspending student protesters and refused to divest from companies that have business interests with Israel.

Protesters gesture from a window of Hamilton Hall, after barricading themselves inside the building at Columbia University, after an earlier order from university officials to disband the protest encampment supporting Palestinians, or face suspension in New York City, U.S., April 30, 2024.

Protesters barricade themselves inside Hamilton Hall at Columbia University, expanding their protest after a deadline issued in the afternoon by university officials to disband or face suspension, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in New York City, U.S., April 30, 2024.

Protesters link arms outside Hamilton Hall barricading students inside the building at Columbia University in New York City on April 30, 2024.

Protesters barricaded themselves inside Hamilton Hall at Columbia University, after an earlier order from university officials to disband a protest encampment supporting Palestinians, or face suspension, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in New York City on April 30, 2024.

Several hundred protestors stand outside the gates of Columbia University in Manhattan on April 30, 2024.

Speaker Mike Johnson, speaks on the campus of Columbia University, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in New York City.

Pro-Palestinian protesters hold a small rally outside of Columbia University on April 24, 2024 in New York City. School administrators and pro-Palestinian, student protesters made progress on negations after the school set a midnight deadline for students to disband the encampment. The students agreed to remove a significant number of the tents that have been erected on the lawn, and ensured that non-students would leave, and bar discriminatory or harassing language among the protesters.

NYPD officers stand by the entrance to Columbia University on April 24, 2024 in New York City.

A man walks past Israeli and US flags alongside portraits of Israelis taken hostage by the militant Palestinian group Hamas in front of the pro-Palestinian encampment at Columbia University in New York on April 23, 2024.

Pro-Palestian protesters gather on the campus of Columbia University in New York City on April 23, 2024. Tensions flared between pro-Palestinian student protesters and school administrators at several US universities on April 22, as in-person classes were cancelled and demonstrators arrested.

People make their way at the entrance of Columbia University, while protest encampment continues in support of Palestinians, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in New York City, U.S., April 23, 2024.

Protestors gather on the streets near the Columbia University campus in New York on April 22, 2024, after school officials closed the campus and made all classes remote. This came after hundreds of pro-Palestinian protestors took over large parts of the campus last week.

Protestors gather on the streets near the Columbia University campus in New York on April 22, 2024, after school officials closed the campus and made all classes remote. This came after hundreds of pro-Palestinian protestors took over large parts of the campus last week.

Hundreds of Columbia University students protesting Israel over the war in Gaza remain in a tent encampment on the university campus in Manhattan July 22, 2024. The students occupied a portion of the campus last week amid protests over the war in Gaza.

Protestors protestors outside Columbia University in Manhattan April 22, 2024. Protestors gathered on the streets near the campus after school officials closed the campus and made all classes remote. This came after hundreds of pro-Palestinian protestors took over large parts of the campus last week.

Pro-Israel supporters Karen Lichtbraun of Manhattan and Josh Rosenthal of Freehold, NJ. stand across the street from Columbia University in Manhattan April 22, 2024.

Palestinian and Israeli protestors waved flags as they protested outside the entrance to Columbia University in Manhattan April 22, 2024 after school officials closed the campus and made all classes remote. The protestors were kept separated by the New York City Police Department. This came after hundreds of pro-Palestinian protestors took over large parts of the campus last week.

An anti-Israel protestor is arrested outside Columbia University in Manhattan April 22, 2024.

A Columbia University student places a Palestinian flag on an entrance gate to the campus in Manhattan April 22, 2024.

A pro-Israel protestor near entrance gate to the Columbia University campus in Manhattan April 22, 2024.

A Columbia University student takes part in an anti-Israel protest inside the gates the school in Manhattan April 22, 2024.

Pro-Israel supporters were kept separated from anti-Israel/pro-Palestinian supporters outside Columbia University in Manhattan April 22, 2024.

An anti-Israel protestor stands in front of dozens of New York City police officers across the street from Columbia University in Manhattan April 22, 2024.

Pro-Palestinian activist protest outside Columbia University in New York City on April 20, 2024.

Pro-Palestinian activist protest outside Columbia University in New York City on April 20, 2024.

A woman speaks to a police officer as pro-Palestinian activists protest outside Columbia University in New York City on April 20, 2024.

A man waves a Palestinian flag as pro-Palestinian activists protest outside Columbia University in New York City on April 20, 2024.

Pro-Palestinian activist protest outside Columbia University in New York City on April 20, 2024.

Pro-Palestinian activist protest outside Columbia University in New York City on April 20, 2024.

Pro-Palestinian activist protest outside Columbia University in New York City on April 20, 2024.

NYPD Officers stand guard by one of the gates of Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024. Officers cleared out a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration on April 18, a day after university officials testified about anti-Semitism before Congress. Leaders of Columbia University defended the prestigious New York school's efforts to combat anti-Semitism on campus at a fiery congressional hearing on April 17.

Students occupy the campus grounds of Columbia University in support of Palestinians in New York City on April 19, 2024. Officers cleared out a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration on April 18, a day after university officials testified about anti-Semitism before Congress. Leaders of Columbia University defended the prestigious New York school's efforts to combat anti-Semitism on campus at a fiery congressional hearing on April 17.

Students occupy the campus grounds of Columbia University in support of Palestinians in New York City on April 19, 2024. Officers cleared out a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration on April 18, a day after university officials testified about anti-Semitism before Congress. Leaders of Columbia University defended the prestigious New York school's efforts to combat anti-Semitism on campus at a fiery congressional hearing on April 17.

Pro-Palestinian students and activists camp out on the campus of Columbia University in New York City on April 19, 2024. Police arrested more than 100 pro-Palestinian student protesters at New York's Columbia University on April 18, a day after the president of the prestigious school was grilled in Congress over accusations of anti-Semitism on campus.

Pro-Palestinian students and activists camp out on the campus of Columbia University in New York City on April 19, 2024. Police arrested more than 100 pro-Palestinian student protesters at New York's Columbia University on April 18, a day after the president of the prestigious school was grilled in Congress over accusations of anti-Semitism on campus.

A guard unlocks one of the gates of Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024. NYPD Officers cleared out a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration on April 18, a day after university officials testified about anti-Semitism before Congress. Leaders of Columbia University defended the prestigious New York school's efforts to combat anti-Semitism on campus at a fiery congressional hearing on April 17.

Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024. Officers cleared out a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration on April 18, a day after university officials testified about anti-Semitism before Congress. Leaders of Columbia University defended the prestigious New York school's efforts to combat anti-Semitism on campus at a fiery congressional hearing on April 17.

Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside of Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024. Officers cleared out a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration on April 18, a day after university officials testified about anti-Semitism before Congress. Leaders of Columbia University defended the prestigious New York school's efforts to combat anti-Semitism on campus at a fiery congressional hearing on April 17.

NYPD officers detain a person as pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside of Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024. Officers cleared out a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration on April 18, a day after university officials testified about anti-Semitism before Congress. Leaders of Columbia University defended the prestigious New York school's efforts to combat anti-Semitism on campus at a fiery congressional hearing on April 17.

Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024. Officers cleared out a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration on April 18, a day after university officials testified about anti-Semitism before Congress. Leaders of Columbia University defended the prestigious New York school's efforts to combat anti-Semitism on campus at a fiery congressional hearing on April 17.

Pro-Palestinian protesters pray outside Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024. Officers cleared out a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration on April 18, a day after university officials testified about anti-Semitism before Congress. Leaders of Columbia University defended the prestigious New York school's efforts to combat anti-Semitism on campus at a fiery congressional hearing on April 17.

A counter-protester reacts among pro-Palestinian protesters as they gather outside of Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024. Officers cleared out a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration on April 18, a day after university officials testified about anti-Semitism before Congress. Leaders of Columbia University defended the prestigious New York school's efforts to combat anti-Semitism on campus at a fiery congressional hearing on April 17.

Pro-Palestinian protesters march outside Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024. Officers cleared out a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration on April 18, a day after university officials testified about anti-Semitism before Congress. Leaders of Columbia University defended the prestigious New York school's efforts to combat anti-Semitism on campus at a fiery congressional hearing on April 17.

NYPD officers remove a man as pro-Palestinian protesters march outside Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024. Officers cleared out a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration on April 18, a day after university officials testified about anti-Semitism before Congress. Leaders of Columbia University defended the prestigious New York school's efforts to combat anti-Semitism on campus at a fiery congressional hearing on April 17.

Pro-Palestinian protesters march outside Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024. Officers cleared out a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration on April 18, a day after university officials testified about anti-Semitism before Congress. Leaders of Columbia University defended the prestigious New York school's efforts to combat anti-Semitism on campus at a fiery congressional hearing on April 17.

Pro-Palestinian protesters march outside Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024. Officers cleared out a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration on April 18, a day after university officials testified about anti-Semitism before Congress. Leaders of Columbia University defended the prestigious New York school's efforts to combat anti-Semitism on campus at a fiery congressional hearing on April 17.

Students and pro-Palestinian activists face police as they gather outside of Columbia University to protest the university's stance on Israel on April 18, 2024, in New York City. The protests come after numerous students were arrested earlier in the day after setting up tents on the university lawn in support of Gaza.

Students and pro-Palestinian activists face police as they gather outside of Columbia University to protest the university's stance on Israel on April 18, 2024, in New York City. The protests come after numerous students were arrested earlier in the day after setting up tents on the university lawn in support of Gaza.