Columbia University Suspends Over 65 Students, 80 Arrested in Pro-Palestinian Library Protest Amid Visa Review by Rubio, ICE Presence

Columbia University has suspended over 65 students and barred 33 others, including alumni and students from affiliated institutions, following a pro-Palestinian demonstration that led to the occupation of the school's main library. The protest, which took place on Wednesday evening, resulted in 80 arrests, primarily on charges of trespassing, with some also facing disorderly conduct charges. The demonstration was organized by Columbia University Apartheid Divest, which temporarily renamed the library 'Basel Al-Araj Popular University' and distributed pamphlets praising Al-Araj, an alleged terrorist.

Masked protesters forced their way past campus security, entering Butler Library, and hanging Palestinian flags and banners. Some protesters vandalized library property with phrases like 'Columbia will burn.' The New York Police Department, equipped with helmets and other protective gear, intervened at the request of university officials, who described the protest as an 'outrageous' disruption during finals week. The protest included demands for Columbia to divest from companies linked to Israel's military occupation of Palestinian territories and for the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a student facing deportation.

The protest at Columbia is part of a broader wave of demonstrations across U.S. campuses against Israel's war in Gaza, which has intensified since last year. The Trump administration has responded to these protests by reviewing the visa statuses of participants for possible deportation and has already pulled federal funding from Columbia and other universities over their handling of such protests. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated that his office will review the visa status of those involved in the library takeover. Additionally, the presence of ICE agents on campus has been noted as part of the crackdown on these protests.