On Thursday evening, tensions flared at Brooklyn College in New York City when pro-Palestinian activists attempted to establish an encampment on campus grounds. The demonstration quickly escalated into chaos as New York Police Department (NYPD) officers arrived to respond to the scene and enforce the college’s policy against unauthorized tents, Fox News reports.
Videos from the scene show activists, many wearing keffiyehs, shouting at officers and refusing to disperse. The situation became heated, with protesters yelling profanities and police struggling to maintain order. At one point, officers tased a man who was resisting, drawing emotional reactions from the crowd. Police also urged a woman to remove her child from the area for safety.
Footage captured officers restraining protesters on the ground as others screamed and attempted to intervene. Some demonstrators criticized police for using force to quell the scary situation.
In a statement to Fox News, Brooklyn College explained that the activists had violated campus rules by erecting tents and that both campus security and NYPD officers repeatedly warned the group before clearing the encampment. The college emphasized its commitment to campus safety and the right to protest, but stressed the importance of following rules to ensure the university’s safe operation.
“After multiple warnings to take the tents down and disperse, members of CUNY Public Safety and NYPD removed the tents and dispersed the crowd,” Brooklyn College said in a statement. “The safety of our campus community will always be paramount, and Brooklyn College respects the right to protest while also adhering to strict rules meant to ensure the safe operation of our University and prohibit individuals from impeding access to educational facilities.”
This incident followed a similar protest at Columbia University the previous day, where over 100 anti-Israel activists occupied the Butler Library, leading to 80 arrests as students were preparing for final exams. According to Fox News, more than 80 people were arrested, all reportedly students at the university.
The chaotic scene prompted the State Department to warn foreign students that there are consequences of breaking the law. ”Foreign university students in America have been put on notice: if you break the law or support terrorism in our country, we will revoke your visa. This administration will not tolerate noncitizens causing mayhem on our college campuses.”
According to Fox News, Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded to the scene stating that his agency was “reviewing the visa status of the trespassers and vandals who took over Columbia University’s library. Pro-Hamas thugs are no longer welcome in our great nation.”
I believe colleges should be strictly for academia and not protesting regardless of nature.