In a development that underscores ongoing campus tensions, a contingent of students staged a sit-in at Barnard College, Columbia University. This protest was triggered by the expulsion of two students who were alleged to have disrupted a class on Israeli history, sparking discussions surrounding free speech and institutional policies.
Nearly 100 students from Barnard and Columbia University gathered at Barnard’s Milbank Hall, contributing to a movement organized by Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD). The event was documented on social media, where footage showed masked students, many wearing keffiyehs, engaging in chants and drumbeats.
Controversy escalated when Barnard representatives stated that the protesters had physically assaulted a college employee, resulting in hospitalization. CUAD countered with allegations of harassment by Barnard’s security, claiming that security staff had shoved students, causing one to fall. The administration and CUAD’s conflicting narratives highlight the complexities involved.
While the demonstration concluded without further incidents after a deadline was imposed by Barnard, the college’s President, Laura Rosenbury, issued a statement condemning the disruption. She emphasized the institution’s commitment to maintaining a safe educational environment. Rosenbury reinforced that expulsion, although a rare measure, is necessary to uphold respect, inclusion, and academic integrity.
The protest forms part of a broader week of action orchestrated by CUAD. This initiative aims to oppose the expulsions linked to a previous disruption in a History of Modern Israel class, where flyers with violent imagery were distributed. Barnard has refrained from commenting on individual students’ records due to privacy constraints.
Furthermore, CUAD demands the reversal of expulsions, amnesty for pro-Palestinian activism, public dialogues with college officials, and complete transparency in disciplinary matters. A mass picket is also anticipated outside Barnard to support the expelled students. Last year, similar activities at Columbia resulted in arrests, showcasing the persistent activism related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Columbia University has clarified that the recent protest occurred on Barnard’s campus and emphasized its non-tolerance for academic disruptions. The institution affirms its support for students amid these evolving dynamics.
The sit-in at Barnard College reflects wider student activism fueled by concerns over free speech and policy enforcement. As protests continue, the challenges of balancing institutional order with the right to dissent remain a focal point.
