Maintenance workers at Columbia University, including Mariano Torres, are reportedly traumatized after being held hostage by anti-Israel protesters who took over Hamilton Hall. The protesters used chairs, vending machines, chains, and zip ties to block exits, trapping the workers inside. The custodians' union is now preparing to sue the university for failing to protect its members during the incident. Union representatives and workers have spoken out about the lack of concern for their safety, with one worker expressing his fear and frustration over the situation.
Columbia University’s custodians union is threatening to sue the school for failing to protect its members who were trapped in a building occupied by anti-Israel protesters. | @dezward01 https://t.co/e4smUDj1gx
An Inside Look at the Violent Pro-Palestinian Student Takeover of Columbia’s Hamilton Hall - Mariano Torres is a maintenance worker who said he was terrified, and then angry, after protesters took over his campus building and trapped him inside. https://t.co/gCbfLHFeNV
'SCARED TO DEATH': Union president representing the custodians working at Columbia University describes the horrors of being held hostage after anti-Israel agitators stormed the building and demanded they stay. https://t.co/BPJ8sor4ZZ
Maintenance workers were inside Hamilton Hall at Columbia University when pro-Palestinian protesters took over the building. It was frightening, the workers said, and they wondered why the school failed to stop it. https://t.co/ZVPPCE1tZw
“Let me out! I’m a worker!” More Columbia custodians tell The FP they are left “traumatized” after masked protesters held them hostage inside a campus building by using chairs, vending machines, chains, and zip ties to block exits. 🧵 https://t.co/0xmfAZcllr
“It felt like they didn’t even care. They were just worried about the protesters—don’t hurt the protesters. What about the safety and security of the workers?” More Columbia custodians speak out to The FP as their union prepares to sue the university: https://t.co/b8dbYHVEaq