After several days of rising tensions, Thursday October 12 saw Columbia’s campus closed to visitors and guarded by NYPD as the Call to Action for Palestine protest and a simultaneous protest by Students Supporting Israel (SSI) mounted on Butler Lawns.

On Tuesday, October 10, Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) announced a protest known as Call to Action for Palestine, co-sponsored by BC/CU Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), CU Turath (Arab Students Association), Columbia Muslim Students Association (MSA), Columbia Pakistani Association (PSA), and Barnard-Columbia Abolition Collective. They wrote, “Join us at a protest pressuring Columbia to meet our four demands for Palestine this Thursday at 4:30 pm!” The demands, first published in an open letter from SJP and SVP on October 9, are as follows:

1. “Address Palestinian humanity and existence. Correct and apologize for the emails sent by Columbia administration that support Israel while ignoring—and neglecting to even name—Palestinians.
2. Divest from companies profiting from Israeli apartheid, noting that both former Columbia and Barnard presidents unilaterally & anti-democratically ignored the student body referendums to divest in 2020.
3. Cancel the opening of the Tel Aviv Global Center, noting that Palestinian affiliates of Columbia would be restricted from access to this program given Israel’s apartheid policies, and further noting that this therefore violates Columbia’s very own non-discrimination policy.
4. Cease the dual-degree partnership with Tel Aviv University, for the same reason.”

As for the demonstration itself, SJP and JVP posted several guidelines for attendees in the days leading up to the event. Among these guidelines, attendees were asked not to engage with counter-protesters, and to “remain peaceful and focus on the four demands from Columbia University,” including by continuing to sign and distribute the open letter. Further guidelines included asking that attendees not bring their own signs, but that they do bring Palestinian flags and keffiyehs and wear red, white, and green, the colors of the Palestinian flag. Finally, the post encouraged attendees to consider wearing face coverings “for safety from doxxing.” 

Later that day, Columbia Students Supporting Israel (SSI) announced a demonstration “in protest of the bloodshed of the people of Israel,” to be held at the same time and location as the Call to Action protest. “Without screaming, without shouting, without chanting,” the group wrote, supporters were asked to “unite in protest.” The announcement continued, “It’s more important now than ever that we come together as one voice. This is how we channel our grief, anger, and heartbreak.” Flags and candles were provided by Hillel, and attendees were asked to wear blue and white. On Thursday, SSI shared additional details about what the protest would look like, sharing that it would begin with complete silence starting at 4:45 pm, with “one second of silence to honor each innocent life taken.” SSI planned to conclude its protest by “breaking our silence and singing together, arm in arm, as a symbol of our everlasting hope.” 

The University Responds

In reaction to these planned protests, as well as a general heightened tension on campus, the University announced increased security measures, including by restricting access to campus and requesting NYPD presence. On Wednesday night, Executive Vice President of University Facilities and Operations David M. Greenberg sent an email to students explaining that beginning at 6 am the following morning, access to Columbia’s main campus would be restricted to valid Columbia University ID holders only. Explaining the decision, Greenberg wrote, “This condition is in place to help maintain safety and a sense of community through planned demonstration activities.” 

Greenberg’s email was followed the next morning by a statement from Interim Columbia Provost Dennis Mitchell further explaining the decision to restrict campus access. In Mitchell’s email, sent to students about two hours before the protests began, he claimed that the “substantial efforts were made to enlist the participation of outside supporters” in the two planned protests, “in a manner that risks creating an unsafe environment for our community.” He emphasized that Columbia “hold[s] dear” the value of freedom of speech, yet will not tolerate “hate speech, discrimination, or violation of our core values.” 

On Thursday, only two gates at each of the respective Broadway and Amsterdam entrances on 116th were left open. Both gates were guarded by NYPD officers, who requested to see the CUIDs of those attempting to enter. People who refused to show IDs were barred from campus.

Though there were no protests planned for Barnard’s campus, later in the afternoon, both the gates on 117th and Broadway and at 119th and Broadway also appeared to be partially closed and guarded by Barnard security guards. 

The Protests

Around 4:30 pm, the two protests  mounted on the lawns outside of Butler Library, while onlookers watched from Low steps. Officers from the NYPD and Columbia Public Safety were present throughout campus, and at least three helicopters were spotted above campus. At the Call to Action protest, participants partook in speeches and chants asking Columbia’s administration to “acknowledge Palestinian resistance and humanity.” One speaker told attendees, “We must be able to address these wrongs without allegation or condemnation, but we should not act as if Palestinians started this conflict, should not act as if Palestinians have not already been patient, and should not act like this doesn’t affect us all.” 

SJP also called for the condemnation of student organizations who “send students to Israel when Palestinians are restricted from doing the same.” Throughout the Call to Action protest, speakers reiterated that “the dichotomy in the media is dark and unsettling,” saying the conflict only receives “mass coverage when Palestinians retaliate.” Discussing their decision to attend the Call to Action protest, one participant told Bwog, “No Indigenous person should ever have to give up the right to live on their land.”

A speaker from the Barnard Abolition Collective also joined the Call to Action protest, calling out Columbia’s support for the “prison industrial complex,” and stating that “the abolitionist struggle shares [the Palestinian] struggle.” The speaker continued by saying that “as abolitionists, we know there is no equal sign between the oppressor and the oppressed.” They also reminded attendees that President Shafik “was scheduled to have a human rights talk today,” referring to the Human Rights Economy Inaugural Symposium at Columbia Law School, which has since been postponed. Continuing, the speaker asked, “What about our human rights?” The speaker concluded by saying they would “love to create a world in which people do not get caught in the crossfire,” and that to do so, “we must adjust the wrongs being done without condemnation or allegation.”

On the other side of the lawns attendees of the SSI protest gathered in a large circle to begin their silent demonstration. After the silence ended, the group dispersed into one large crowd, singing Hatikvah, Israel’s national anthem, as well as other songs and prayers like “Oseh Shalom” Though there were no speakers at the event, many supporters waved the Israeli flag and held posters depicting civilians that had lost their lives. 

Thursday’s protest marked the second demonstration by SSI in recent days, after a gathering on the Sundial to support Israel and condemn Hamas held the afternoon of Tuesday, October 10. In an Instagram post, SSI wrote of the October 12 protest, “We are grieving. We are not here to demonize. We are promoting peace, love, and unity. We are here to stay.”

Most of the SSI protesters dispersed before sunset, while the Call to Action protest continued. At one point, a speaker called for all protestors to stage a “die-in” by falling to the ground for several seconds to represent the fallen Palestinians. After this, protestors began to leave the lawn and march around campus, chanting “Viva viva Palestine” and, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” The protest continued until around 8 pm. 

Many individuals present at the demonstrations were not directly affiliated with either SJP or SSI, and instead attended as supporters or observers. On Thursday, University radio station WKCR released an audio clip featuring one such individual, who claimed to be a Columbia “Officer of Administration.” The individual was between both demonstrations, but appeared to be shouting at the Call to Action for Palestine protesters. The individual told WKCR, “These people have no business being here now,” seemingly referring to the Call to Action protesters, before adding, “I hope every one of these people dies.” 

The individual, who did not claim to be affiliated with any group, stated, “I’m here to support the Jewish students here, okay?” and later, “I’m here on my own, I’m not representing the University.” They also said they had contacted Columbia’s President and Provost, adding, “they should be out here shutting down these motherfuckers, okay?”

Since the publication of this recording on WKCR yesterday, students across social media have made calls for the administrator to be identified and fired. One student commented on an Instagram post of this audio interview: “@Columbia How dare you stay silent on this matter. Does the safety of the students and staff supporting Palestine not matter to you? When we announce having a protest, you decide to close campus and call in Public Safety officers. What’s the point of all that if the people students need to be safe from exist on campus?”

On Campus, Escalating Tensions Bring Media Controversy 

Thursday’s demonstrations came after several days of escalating tensions on campus, which came to a head on Wednesday evening when a 19-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly assaulting an Israeli GS student during an argument. According to the NYPD, the GS student, referred to only as IA for safety reasons, suffered minor injuries, including a laceration to his hand. 

According to several witness accounts, the altercation occurred around 5:40 pm after IA approached the suspect in front of Butler. However, accounts of the altercation vary from there. Some witnesses claim that IA, along with a group of friends, approached the person in question because she was tearing down flyers that bore the names and photographs of Israelis taken hostage by Hamas, while others claimed the group approached her because they saw her hanging flyers promoting the Call to Action protest. 

Further, IA told the Columbia Daily Spectator that after he approached the accused, she attacked him repeatedly by screaming obscenities, hitting him with a stick, and attempting to punch him, which left him with a bruised hand and a broken ring finger on the other hand. These specific injuries were not confirmed by the NYPD. 

However, other witnesses countered these claims, saying the accused did not hit IA with a stick or otherwise. Instead, at least one witness to the altercation claimed it only became physical when the accused pulled a flier out of IA’s hand, causing a paper cut. 

The arrest on Wednesday quickly became the source of significant controversy on campus, as did media coverage of the incident. In a statement posted to X, a Columbia student who says they witnessed the altercation and are a close friend of the accused condemned multiple news outlets for “incorrect information, bad practice journalism, and dangerous implications” in their reporting on the arrest. The statement further pushed back against the notion that the altercation was anti-Semitic in nature, sharing that the accused is herself Jewish. They concluded, “the rhetoric people are using in response to this event has been anti-Black and transmisogynistic, and the community and institution of Columbia is allowing this to become the dominant narrative.” Expressing similar sentiments, another student took to social media to call the arrest “state sanctioned violence against a Black trans woman for exercising her right to free speech.” 

On campus and on social media, controversy over media coverage extended beyond the reporting of Wednesday’s arrest. Though a limited number of non-Columbia-affiliated journalists appeared to gain access to campus on Thursday, The New York Times published extensive coverage of the demonstrations, which quickly garnered controversy among students. Via Instagram story, SJP criticized the Times for alleged bias toward the SSI demonstration, and claimed this was one reason the group refused to give statements to the publication. 

SJP further criticized on-campus news coverage of the events for misrepresenting key elements of the Call to Action demonstration, including, the group said, by misidentifying the number of students in attendance, the groups organizing the protest, and the amount of time each group demonstrated for. SJP also emphasized that it had co-organized Call to Action alongside four additional student groups, including Jewish Voice for Peace, a detail it said was initially left out of many news reports. In one of several Instagram Stories posted on October 12, SJP wrote, “we are being failed by every media outlet,” and later, “to contribute to the already intense religious polarization on campus by leaving out such vital information is irresponsible and unacceptable.” 

At the time of publication, the University has not yet released an official statement responding to Thursday’s demonstrations, nor to the demands outlined by either set of protest organizers. Though the NYPD has largely left the gates, officers remain present around campus and the majority of entrances remain closed. As media coverage of the events continues to attract attention, student organizers, supporters, and observers from both protests eagerly await the University’s next move.  

Email from Executive Vice President of Facilities and Operations David M. Greenberg to Columbia students on Wednesday, October 11, at 10:48 pm: 

Dear members of the Columbia community:

As a follow up to the Provost’s email earlier today related to safety and free expression on campus, beginning at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow (October 12) access to the Morningside campus will be open to valid Columbia University ID holders only. This condition is in place to help maintain safety and a sense of community through planned demonstration activities.

UNIVERSITY ID CARD NEEDED TO ACCESS CAMPUS

Faculty, students and staff should be aware that starting at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow (October 12), you must bring your CUID and be prepared to present it to Public Safety at one of the following gates in order to access the Morningside campus: 

• North and South Pedestrian Gates at 116th St. and Broadway
• South Pedestrian Gate at 116th St. and Amsterdam
• North Pedestrian Gate at 116th St. and Amsterdam (disability access only)
• Wien Hall Pedestrian Gate (116th St. between Amsterdam and Morningside Drive)

All other campus gates will be closed.

Other important notes for tomorrow:

• Please remember to have your Columbia University ID with you. All faculty, students and staff will need it to enter Morningside campus.
• Please allow extra time to enter campus.
• Please consider rescheduling any on-campus academic or business meetings with non-affiliates.

On behalf of the University, thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Sincerely,

David M. Greenberg

Executive Vice President

University Facilities and Operations

Columbia University

Email from Interim Provost Dennis A. Mitchell to Columbia students on Thursday, October 12, at 2:21 pm: 

Dear fellow members of the Columbia community, 

We are anticipating simultaneous protests by two groups this afternoon – Students for Justice in Palestine and Students Supporting Israel. Substantial efforts were made to enlist the participation of outside supporters in a manner that risks creating an unsafe environment for our community. This is why we have limited our access today to CUID holders only. 

Our University has always stood as a beacon of free expression and open dialogue, promoting a diverse and inclusive community where ideas and opinions can be freely exchanged. Freedom of speech is a fundamental value we hold dear, one that fosters intellectual growth, critical thinking, and the exploration of different perspectives. 

However, it is crucial to emphasize that with this freedom comes the responsibility to ensure that our campus remains a safe. Hate speech, discrimination, or violation of our core values will not be tolerated. This includes the use of signs and symbols that glorify hate and atrocities. Our rules prohibit the use of words that incite behavior that may lead to a clear and present danger of injury to people or property. All community members must abide by the requests of delegates, including to provide identification.  Anyone unwilling to identify themselves will be required to leave campus.  All violations are subject to discipline under our rules.

We value the diversity of thought that enriches our institution and strengthens our commitment to excellence. It is through civil discourse, empathy, and mutual understanding that we can address the complex challenges of our time and strive for a better future.  

Sincerely,

Dennis

Dennis A. Mitchell, DDS, MPH (he/him)

Interim Provost

Professor of Dental Medicine at CUMC

Email from Deans Shi-Fu Chang, Lisa Rosen-Metsch, and Josef Sorrett to Columbia students on Thursday, October 12, at 2:58 pm: 

Dear Students, 

The ongoing crisis in Israel and Gaza has impacted members of our community in deep and profound ways. Many students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members have family members and friends in harm’s way, or are themselves in the region. Still others have deep cultural, religious, personal, professional, or intellectual ties to the area.

The realities of terrorism and war threaten our common humanity. The disrespect for life and wanton disregard of each person’s dignity and right to exist that they represent are affronts to our deepest values as an institution – and as individuals. The acts we have collectively borne witness to, particularly in the past days, shock the conscience and we reject them utterly. Moreover, they challenge our campus values to the core.

As Deans of our respective schools, our primary charge is to provide support and care for all of our students, ensuring that they feel as safe as possible in their campus community, and that they receive the guidance they need when external forces impede their ability to pursue academic endeavors.

Right now, we know that the atmosphere on campus is extremely charged and many are concerned for their personal safety. Community members are observing and experiencing disturbing anti-semitic and islamophobic acts, including intimidation and outright violence — as was experienced on campus outside Butler Library late yesterday afternoon — with some students being targeted based on their religious identity or political speech. It is important that you continue to report these incidents to Public Safety, University leaders, and staff. Even more, it is paramount — in a moment where it is most difficult to be together across our differences — that we recommit ourselves to doing precisely that.

Columbia stands resolutely as a community committed to open dialogue and intellectual freedom, respectfully affirming cultural, political, and religious diversity. At the same time, we reject and will not tolerate hate speech, violence, or the threat or any acts of violence in our community.  

It is our collective responsibility to uphold the values and standards of that community – and to respect the dignity and personal freedom of those who share it. We are confident in and trust you, our students, to uphold these values and standards. Thank you for respecting one another and for your sustained commitment to this collective enterprise.

Sincerely, 

Shih-Fu Chang

Dean of Columbia Engineering

Lisa Rosen-Metsch

Dean of Columbia School of General Studies

Josef Sorett

Dean of Columbia College,

Vice President for Undergraduate Education

Protest via Bwog Staff