NEW YORK -- Mayor Eric Adams issued a stern warning to Columbia University protesters Tuesday after demonstrators occupied a building overnight, prompting the school to threaten them with expulsion.
There was a massive police presence near Columbia University Tuesday evening after Adams' warning.
Adams said "external actors" are "attempting to hijack this process," and called on the protesters who are still involved to "walk away from this situation now, and continue your advocacy through other means."
"They are actively creating serious public safety issues at these protests," Adams said. "We can not and will not allow what should be a peaceful gathering to turn into a violent spectacle that serves no purpose. We can not wait until this situation becomes even more serious. This must end now."
Tensions have escalated on campus as students have barricaded themselves inside Hamilton Hall, which sits on Amsterdam Avenue and is across from the main lawn, where a tent encampment is set up.
Furniture could be seen boarded against doors, and supplies were being lifted up to people inside the building via a rope and pulley.
Faculty responded by locking the campus gates down, only allowing essential workers and students access to the school.
In a statement Tuesday, the school said this is no longer a debate about the students' reasons or cause, but rather their actions.
Columbia said the number of protesters is small when compared to the overall student body.
"We have a student population of almost 37,000. We estimate about 15,000 students will be graduating this spring, next month actually. And we have, again to scale, dozens on the lawn in the encampments, and dozens in Hamilton Hall," Columbia University's Vice President of Communications Ben Chang said.
Mayor Adams: Outside agitators have coopted the protest
"I have been saying for days, if not weeks now, that what should have been a peaceful protest, it has basically been coopted by professional, outside agitators," Adams said Tuesday. "We were well aware based on a series of observations that what should've been a peaceful protest that's part of a constitutional rights of Americans has clearly been coopted. A right that this administration supports and defends to support your concern."
Adams urged everyone violating Columbia's policies to "leave the area, and leave the area now. And if you're a parent of a student, please call your child and urge them to leave the area before the situation escalates in any way. This is for their own safety, and the safety of others."
"We are seeing professional, external actors getting involved in these protests, including in the occupation of a university building," Police Commissioner Edward Caban said. "These people are not Columbia students. They are not affiliated with the university and they are working to escalate the situation. We are seeing their tactics changing in a way that's endangering public safety. These once peaceful protests are being exploited by professional outside agitators and the safety of all students, faculty and staff are now a concern."
To support their claims, the NYPD showed videos they said showed students trying to prevent the break-in "being intimidated," barricades being dragged into Hamilton Hall, "some training sessions that are occurring within the encampment itself."
NYPD officials said they "stand ready to come in if we're invited in" to Columbia.
People occupying Hamilton Hall could face burglary, criminal mischief and trespassing. For people in the encampments outside, they could face trespassing and disorderly conduct charges.
Pro-Palestinian Supporters Take Over Hamilton Hall
During the night, a sizable group of pro-Palestinian supporters initiated a demonstration outside Hamilton Hall, shouting slogans like "Free Palestine."
A video captured the moment when a group forcefully entered the building following the suspension of students who had defied an order to disband their camps and vacate the area.
Footage from a cellphone, obtained by CBS New York, depicted demonstrators using hammers to break windows just after midnight before barricading themselves inside Hamilton Hall, the primary administrative building of the university. They even obstructed the entrance at one point.
"Early this morning, a faction of protestors seized control of Hamilton Hall on the Morningside campus. Given the ongoing protest activity on campus, individuals from the University community who can refrain from visiting the Morningside campus today (Tuesday, April 30) are advised to do so," stated the university in a public safety announcement.
The protesters unveiled multiple banners, with one renaming the building as "Hind's Hall," in honor of Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old Palestinian girl who lost her life in Gaza three months ago. Their objective is to remain inside until Columbia University agrees to three demands: Divestment, financial transparency, and amnesty.
Students' Accounts of the Incident
Two students who were present during the protest described the atmosphere as hostile and confrontational.
Protests Erupt at University Campus
Amid escalating tensions, students at a university barricaded themselves in a building, blocking doors and chanting slogans against certain groups. The situation turned intense as they formed human chains and protested, claiming to have liberated the space.
According to witnesses, the demonstrators targeted students, labeling them with derogatory terms and causing fear among the campus community.
Video footage captured some of the protesters chanting inflammatory phrases, inciting further concern among onlookers.
One student expressed a willingness to risk academic consequences to show solidarity with a particular cause, while another condemned the support for violent actions.
As the situation unfolded, students reported feeling unsafe and unable to focus on their academic responsibilities, with some even considering leaving the campus for their own safety.
"I felt intimidated. This place on campus is not safe. I believe the authorities should intervene to ensure everyone's safety on campus," expressed a student.
"Our demands revolve around divestment, disclosure, and amnesty. The university has continuously sidestepped these demands, opting for more punitive measures," stated student negotiator Sueda Polat.
At a news conference held on Tuesday afternoon, some student negotiators declared their resolve to stay on campus until their demands are met, even if it means risking their education and future careers.
"We may not always see eye to eye with them. However, when actions escalate to vandalism, harassment, property destruction, or violence, a line has been crossed," remarked Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Adams criticized the actions of the student activists and assured that the NYPD is ready to act.
"One cannot advocate for peace through violence. That is unacceptable," emphasized Adams.
Furthermore, a group of 21 members of Congress penned a letter to Columbia's Board of Trustees on Tuesday expressing their disappointment over the unauthorized encampment of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish activists on campus despite promises to disband it.
"The Columbia administration's efforts this week to negotiate in good faith have not yielded the desired results. Despite nearly a week of discussions, it is evident that the students and activists at the encampment are not willing to agree to disband, a necessary step for the University to comply with Title VI," a statement read. "Those who break the law cannot dictate the University's actions. It is time for the University to take firm action, dismantle the encampment, and ensure the safety of all students."
Hamilton Hall holds historical significance, being the site of the anti-Vietnam War protests in 1968. The pro-Palestinian protests, centered around the encampment, have remained relatively contained so far, mostly taking place on campus grounds or the adjacent sidewalk.
Columbia's latest statement
"We regret that protesters have chosen to escalate the situation through their actions. Our top priority is restoring safety and order on our campus.
"We made it very clear yesterday that the work of the University cannot be endlessly interrupted by protesters who violate the rules. Continuing to do so will be met with clear consequences. Protesters have chosen to escalate to an untenable situation -- vandalizing property, breaking doors and windows, and blockading entrances -- and we are following through with the consequences we outlined yesterday.
"Students occupying the building face expulsion.
"Protesters were informed that their participation in the encampment violated numerous university policies. We gave everyone at the encampment the opportunity to leave peacefully. By committing to abide by University policies, they would be allowed to complete the semester.
"Students who did not commit to the terms we offered are now being suspended. Those students will be restricted from all academic and recreational spaces and may only access their individual residence. Seniors will be ineligible to graduate.
"This is about responding to the actions of the protesters, not their cause.
"As we said yesterday, disruptions on campus have created a threatening environment for many of our Jewish students and faculty and a noisy distraction that interferes with teaching, learning, and preparing for final exams, and contributes to a hostile environment in violation of Title VI.
"The safety of our community remains our top priority."
Columbia limiting access to campus
That decision was made after pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied Hamilton Hall overnight, in defiance of a deadline to disperse.
In an update to students and staff, university officials said the Morningside campus may only be accessed by students who live in residential buildings, including Carman, Furnald, John Jay, Hartley, Wallach, East Campus and Wien, as well as essential employees. All entrances are closed except for the 116th Street and Amsterdam Avenue gate.
University President Minouche Shafik had given protesters a 2 p.m. deadline Monday to clear their pro-Palestinian encampment that has been set up on the school's main lawn for two weeks. The president said negotiations between students and school administrators fell apart, with the university refusing their demand to divest from Israel.
As of Tuesday morning, the encampment shrunk in size, and many of the protesters had moved to Hamilton Hall. Emotions continued to run high at protests off campus, too.
Concerns Over NYPD Presence at Columbia University
The NYPD has stationed officers outside Columbia University's entrances following recent protests in the area. Despite their presence, police have not entered the campus as it is considered private property. According to officials, law enforcement will only intervene if requested by the university or in cases of imminent danger to public safety.
NYPD Chief of Department James Maddrey stated, "As of right now, the NYPD's always ready, but we will not be going onto Columbia's property without a specific request from them, unless there is an imminent danger or emergency that requires our presence."
While the department has been in regular communication with the university administration, campus security has not disclosed their response strategy. However, they mentioned that a safety escort can be arranged upon request.
Maddrey acknowledged the challenges posed by the end of the school year and the potential for heightened tensions, emphasizing the NYPD's role in maintaining public safety during such events.
Notably, Columbia's president previously called the NYPD to address student protesters when a similar situation arose earlier this month, resulting in multiple arrests. Similarly, NYU engaged law enforcement to handle protesters at Gould Plaza on their campus.
Hochul made it clear last week that she had no plans to deploy the National Guard to campus, while Adams stated that the NYPD is prepared to intervene if necessary, but the final decision rests with the school.
"The police and the media serve as the tools that protesters can utilize to amplify the actions of a small group that has occupied the building. Therefore, law enforcement will proceed with caution in handling any demonstrations, even those extending beyond the campus onto city property," shared CBS News Law Enforcement Contributor and former NYPD Deputy Commissioner Richard Esposito.
The academic term concluded on Monday. With final exams approaching in a few days and commencement scheduled on the campus lawn, the university has affirmed that the graduation ceremony on May 15 will proceed as planned.
