Pro-Palestinian students first set up camp at Columbia University on April 17th. They continue to call for the school to condemn the deaths of Palestinian civilians in Gaza along with cutting monetary ties to Israel. © Seth Harrison/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK
(New York, N.Y.) – Tents were pitched back up at Columbia University as pro-Palestinian students once again took to the school’s South Lawn where two previous Gaza Solidarity Encampments were set up.
Organizers are calling it the “Revolt for Rafah”. Protesters say it is a response to a recent Israeli airstrike in Rafah resulting in the deaths of dozens of Palestinian refugees.
In addition, an article from the Washington Post detailed how a group of business executives urged Mayor Eric Adams to send the NYPD to break up previous campus protests. According to messages, some members of the group offered to give donations to the Adams campaign in return for the police crackdown resulting in over 200 arrests between both previous occupations.
Over two dozen students set up camp ahead of the yearly alumni reunion. Officers swept through the campus breaking down tents, but according to The Columbia Spectator, several tents still remained after officers left.
The campus is only accessible to those that have a valid Columbia ID. Student demonstrators are calling for the school to disclose and divest any financial ties to Israel.
