After nearly two weeks, the New York Police Department appears to be putting an end to the pro-Palestine encampment at Columbia University.
The protests escalated dramatically on Monday night when a number of rioters smashed windows and proceeded to occupy the university’s Hamilton Hall, which they renamed to “Hind’s Hall.” Protesters could be seen vandalizing and breaking into a number of other buildings as well.
Nearly 24 hours later, the university finally gave police permission to access the campus and conduct arrests.
Police officers in riot gear could be seen carrying protesters away from the building while others were led out in zip-tie handcuffs. Students were told to return to their dorm rooms or face arrest.
#BREAKING MASS ARRESTS as NYPD pour hundreds of cops inside Columbia University, Raiding Encampment
Video by Olga Fe [email protected] to license pic.twitter.com/YnS6v4V00p
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) May 1, 2024
Near Hamilton Hall, riot police used armored vehicles in order to get close from the building. Footage from on-the-ground reporter Oliya Scootercaster shows officers entering the building both at the ground level and through higher floors with the use of a ladder.
According to CBS News reporter Ali Bauman, police obtained evidence that