Columbia University has given an ultimatum to anti-Israel protesters on its campus to reach an agreement or face potential removal. The university administration, led by President Minouche Shafik, initially set a deadline for midnight to resolve the situation amicably with student organizers. This deadline was extended as negotiations continued into the early hours, with a new 48-hour window for discussions being established.
The university’s primary demands are that the protesters, all of whom must be Columbia students, dismantle the majority of their tents, adhere to fire department safety regulations, and ensure that their assembly is inclusive and free from discriminatory or harassing behavior. This move comes as the campus has already shifted to hybrid learning for the remainder of the semester due to safety concerns prompted by the ongoing protests.
Negotiations hit a snag as demonstrators sought assurances from the administration that it would not involve the New York City Police Department (NYPD) or the National Guard in clearing the site. New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed that there were no plans to deploy the National Guard, but NYPD riot police and counterterrorism units were reportedly on standby, heightening tensions on campus.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez weighed in on the situation via Twitter, describing any potential police action against the protesters as “escalatory, reckless, and dangerous” and a “heinous failure of leadership.”
The administration has expressed its commitment to ensuring that campus policies against harassment and discrimination are upheld. President Shafik emphasized that while the right to protest is protected, the university will not tolerate behavior that contradicts its values of mutual respect and kindness.
As negotiations continue, the university community remains on edge, with the potential for further actions to clear the encampment looming as a possibility if an agreement cannot be reached within the newly set deadline.