81 Arrested as Pro-Palestinian Protesters Storm Columbia Library; Trump Administration Reviews Visas

Pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University stormed Butler Library on Wednesday, disrupting students studying during the final exam period. The protesters, many wearing masks, occupied a reading room and vandalized the library with graffiti, including slogans like 'COLUMBIA WILL BURN 4 THE MARTYRS' and 'FREE PALESTINE.' The university's Public Safety team responded, and the New York Police Department (NYPD) was called in to assist, resulting in the arrest of 81 individuals. Two safety officers were injured during the incident. The protesters chanted 'globalize the intifada' and demanded the removal of police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from campus, an end to Columbia's 'occupation' of Harlem, and amnesty for protesters. Someone pulled the fire alarm in an attempt to evacuate the building without identification checks.

The Trump administration is reviewing the visa status of the protesters involved in the Columbia University library takeover. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that federal officials are examining the status of those who participated, signaling a potential crackdown on non-citizen protesters. This comes amid broader efforts by the administration to address protests and diversity initiatives at universities across the U.S., raising concerns about academic freedom.

In a separate incident, pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Washington caused over $1 million in damage during a violent demonstration, leading to the arrest of 30 individuals. The protesters targeted the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building, which was partly funded by Boeing, demanding the university cut ties with the company due to its military contracts with Israel. The university's Board of Regents is set to meet to address the situation, and a federal review of anti-Semitic activity at the university has been initiated.

Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student and pro-Palestinian activist at Columbia University, was recently released from federal custody after spending 16 days in custody for being arrested during an interview about finalizing his U.S. citizenship. Mahdawi, who has been vocal against Israel's war in Gaza, is now helping launch the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund, a $1 million fundraising campaign in Vermont to support immigrants facing deportation. His case has drawn national attention and sparked debates about free speech and terrorism.