Columbia University students returned to campus for the new school year, greeted by fresh protests and heightened security measures just outside the iconic New York City institution. The previous academic year had ended with some of the most significant and intense demonstrations in the U.S., as students rallied against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Consequently, on Tuesday, the first day of the new term, there was a heightened sense of anticipation regarding the scale of the protests that would unfold.
While the police reported at least two arrests, they described Tuesday’s gatherings as “peaceful.” Pro-Palestinian demonstrators, many concealing their faces with traditional keffiyeh scarves, chanted “Free Palestine” and banged drums as they marched in circles outside the renowned iron gates of Columbia University, their voices echoing several blocks away.
Meanwhile, security personnel thoroughly checked students’ and staff’s identification on the opposite side of the metal barricades as they waited in line to enter the campus. Inside the university, protesters allegedly splattered red paint on the Alma Mater statue outside Low Memorial Library around noon, causing the most notable disruption. The area was cordoned off as crews quickly worked to clean the statue.
Columbia’s academic calendar
Reflecting on the previous year, Columbia’s academic calendar had concluded dramatically with the New York Police Department dismantling a pro-Palestinian encampment that had taken over the campus quad. Following this, student protesters briefly occupied an academic building, leading to a police intervention and over 100 arrests. The atmosphere was tense, and the university canceled its main graduation ceremony, leaving the student body to depart for the summer under a cloud of unease.
In the midst of these events, last month saw the resignation of Minouche Shafik, who had served as Columbia’s president during the encampment and had authorized the police raid. As the new academic year began, pro-Palestinian protesters urged returning students to remember the cause for which they had demonstrated in the previous year.
