New York Police Department officers in riot gear entered Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall, which had been occupied by protesters for roughly 20 hours, according to multiple news reports.
According to The New York Times, the NYPD entered the building using a makeshift bridge that allowed them to climb into the second-story window. CNN reported that the NYPD said it had used “distraction devices” to disperse students but denied reports that tear gas was deployed.
Dozens of protesters were taken by police into busses in zip ties, and as they were being bussed away, many chanted, “Free Palestine,” the Times reported.
Videos from student groups on the scene show protesters being pushed off campus by police. The Washington Post reported that some police entered the hall with guns drawn.
The university requested that students shelter in place before police entered the campus building.
Student groups had been on campus for days, setting up tents and camping out at the Ivy League University to protest Israel’s war on Gaza. Demands for the protest included that the university cut financial ties to Israel.
On Tuesday, protesters entered Hamilton Hall, a humanities building on the university’s Morningside Heights campus, and barricaded themselves indoors.
Columbia University, the NYPD, and Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Columbia released a statement saying that it gave the NYPD the green light to enter the campus and disperse student protestors.
“We regret that protesters have chosen to escalate the situation through their actions,” adding, “We made the decision, early in the morning, that this was a law enforcement matter, and that the NYPD were best positioned to determine and execute an appropriate response.”
The school also said the protesters had been “led by individuals who are not affiliated with the University.”
In a live broadcast, reporters at Columbia student news station WKCR noted that only Columbia ID holders could be on campus and questioned the university’s security.
Columbia’s President Minouche Shafik requested in a letter to the NYPD that the police maintain a presence on campus until May 17 to shut down any future encampments.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
