Anti-Israel protesters at Barnard College have taken their demonstrations to dangerous new heights, with violence erupting and a staff member hospitalized after being assaulted. The chaos has spread beyond campus borders, forcing even Governor Kathy Hochul to cancel an appearance at a nearby university amid security concerns.
At a Glance
- Anti-Israel protesters assaulted a Barnard College staff member, sending them to the hospital
- Demonstrators were protesting the expulsion of two students who disrupted an Israel studies class
- NYPD made several arrests as protesters refused to disperse and occupied a campus building
- Protesters chanted slogans including “intifada revolution” and “resistance is justified”
- House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned the protests as “antisemitic chaos” that has “no place on college campuses”
Violence Erupts as Masked Protesters Storm Building
What began as a demonstration against student expulsions quickly descended into chaos on Wednesday when masked protesters forcibly entered Milbank Hall at Barnard College. The mob physically assaulted a staff member during their takeover of the administrative building, leading to the employee being hospitalized.
“Earlier today, a small group of masked protesters forcibly entered Milbank Hall and physically assaulted a Barnard employee, sending them to the hospital,” Barnard spokesperson Robin Levine said. “They encouraged others to enter campus without identification, showing blatant disregard for the safety of our community.”
— Amr Rageh 🇵🇸🇸🇩🇾🇪 (@amr_rageh) April 23, 2024
Radical Chants and Refusal to Cooperate
The protesters, who occupied the building for more than six hours, were heard chanting inflammatory slogans like “resistance is justified when people are occupied” and “intifada revolution.” College officials attempted to deescalate the situation by offering to meet with demonstrators under one simple condition – remove their masks – but the protesters flatly refused.
“Barnard leadership offered to meet with the protesters — just as we meet with all members of our community — on one simple condition: remove their masks. They refused. We have also offered mediation,” Levine explained.
The protest disrupted normal campus operations, with students unable to access classrooms and academic activities thrown into disarray. The demonstrators eventually left the building after reaching a tentative agreement for a meeting with Barnard President Laura Rosenbury and Dean Leslie Grinage, though officials made clear that no promises of amnesty or concessions had been made.
Republican Leaders Condemn Campus Violence
House Speaker Mike Johnson forcefully denounced the protests, highlighting growing concerns about the radical nature of these demonstrations and their impact on Jewish students. Johnson minced no words in his assessment of the situation, calling for immediate action to restore order.
“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. declared. “Pro-Hamas mobs have NO place on our college campuses. Barnard College & Columbia University must put an end to the antisemitic chaos on campus.”
The situation extended beyond Barnard’s campus, with protests spilling over to the City College of New York. There, demonstrators caused such security concerns that an event featuring Governor Kathy Hochul was canceled “due to safety concerns,” according to a CCNY spokesperson. The New York Police Department was forced to make several arrests as approximately 100 protesters gathered, with officers blocking Convent Avenue to prevent unauthorized campus entry.
Students Concerned About Campus Safety
Some students expressed frustration at the administration’s handling of the situation, suggesting earlier enforcement might have prevented escalation. The demonstrations were reportedly in response to Barnard’s decision to expel two students who had disrupted a History of Modern Israel class and distributed anti-Zionist materials.
“You have posters that talk about Intifada and stamping on the Jewish star, and words escalate. This all could have been avoided if Barnard had just enforced its rules,” said student Eliana Goldin.
Brian Cohen, Executive Director of Columbia University Hillel, emphasized the impact these demonstrations have on Jewish students’ educational experience, saying, “This is a direct infringement on students’ right to enjoy an education without fear of harassment.”
