On Thursday, CUAD held a press conference in front of Butler Library to give updates on negotiations with the University and take questions from reporters.

At 2:30 pm on Thursday, April 25, Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) held a press conference in front of Butler Library. CUAD members Khymani James (CC ’25), Mahmoud Khalil, Sueda Polat, and Mohammad Hemeida spoke and answered questions from media reporters. 

They addressed the ongoing negotiations with the University, stating that they had resumed talks at 10 am on Thursday after a 30-hour pause. They did not accept any further questions about the negotiations. 

The spokespeople then acknowledged the ongoing events in Gaza, stating, “We have crossed 200 days of genocide against Palestinians,” describing scenes of violence at Nasser Hospital that were “not normal… [and] not right.” They implored their audience that “it is important to remember why we are here,” to focus on “genocide.” 

They reiterated the purpose of CUAD and the Encampment, stating, “We are a decolonial movement filled with people of all faiths, ethnicities, and walks of life” and “part of a larger movement for Palestinian revolution.” They confirmed the Encampment’s demands to “divest, disclose, and provide amnesty” for students and faculty “disciplined in the movement for Palestinian liberation,” and “until those [demands] are met, [they] will not be going anywhere.” Calling back to alleged threats by the University administration to utilize the National Guard, the spokespeople asserted that “talks will not continue” if Columbia “follow[s] through on their threat.” In an April 24 press conference, Columbia spokesperson Ben Chang stated that these rumors are “baseless,” “untrue,” and “unsubstantiated.” 

James then criticized “Columbia’s welcoming of white supremacists onto campus,” referencing Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes’ presence on campus Wednesday. James claimed that the University had “chosen the side of white supremacists and the side of the oppressor.” 

The spokespeople stated that CUAD was “cautious about letting members of the press into the Encampment out of concern for the safety of… students,” claiming instances where individuals pretending to be members of the press reportedly harassed protesters and recorded them on video without consent. James claimed he had been “physically assaulted yesterday by an individual who was posing as press.”

James concluded by telling the press, “This is not your story,… [rather] the story of thousands of students who don’t want their tuition dollars to aid in the collective punishment and mass murder of Palestinians,” reiterating that “this moment is within the larger movement for Palestinian liberation.”

The spokespeople then opened the floor to questions. 

One reporter asked about the upcoming deadline to conclude negotiations. Mahmoud Khalil, one of the negotiators, stated that there is a “timeline” for negotiations, rather than a deadline.

Bwog asked about organizers’ plan if no agreement is reached by the end of the semester and if they would expect demonstrators to stay in the Encampment into the beginning of summer. James responded that they have no comment, then stating that the protest “is an entire movement and we won’t rest until we see free Palestine.” Another reporter inquired about plans despite the continuation of Commencement, which is still scheduled to take place on May 15. The spokespeople reiterated their goal of “negotiating… the demands and only the demands” and would “remain in this Encampment until [they] achieve all [their] demands.” 

The CUAD spokespeople also received many questions about the University’s use of the NYPD in protests, as well as the alleged threat by the University to bring in the National Guard. Khalil, who claimed to have been “in the negotiation room when the National Guard was brought up,” attested that negotiators “gave the University an opportunity to clarify” the involvement of the National Guard, but they declined. As a result, negotiators suspended negotiations. 

When asked, CUAD did not comment on plans to prepare protesters for potential law enforcement involvement after the initial 48-hour deadline, but declared that police involvement would be “the University’s decision.” James stated, “It’s incredibly concerning for a university who has prized itself for years off… admiring free speech and the right to protest to… say, ‘We will quell this protest, we will crush this protest, using police and military violence.’” In line with their previously stated goals, the spokespeople reiterated that they intend to remain on the lawn.

A reporter from the Washington Post then asked about the operations and daily life within the Encampment. Mohammad Hemeida stated that the Encampment was composed of “students from all walks of life” and University faculty. He reported that they have held seminars and “teach-ins” on the lawn and stated that “anyone who wants to learn about the Encampment… should look at what comes out of it [and] at the students that [they’re] talking to.” Another spokesperson described the Encampment as an “amazing act of solidarity.” 

The spokespeople also fielded questions regarding House Speaker Mike Johnson’s press conference yesterday and reports of other political figures on campus, including Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes. James responded by stating,“Columbia is allowing neo-fascists onto its campus but is not allowing peaceful demonstrators and members of the larger community into our campus,” referencing the recent security measures excluding non-CUID holders. 

He further stated that allowing far-right figures onto campus showed that the University “welcomes white supremacists,” creating a “violent, unsafe atmosphere.” Another reporter asked for CUAD’s response to Speaker Mike Johnson’s statement at yesterday’s press conference that Congress would “take action” if the University didn’t, to which the spokespeople responded by calling Johnson’s words “fascist rhetoric” that they “fully reject and condemn.” James repeated their belief that it is “the University’s job… to protect the safety of its students.” 

A reporter inquired about the spread of similar encampments and pro-Palestine protests around the country. CUAD stated that they “stand strong together across universities” and “support [their] comrades at other universities.”

Another reporter asked for CUAD’s evaluation of the media coverage of their organization and the protests. The spokespeople responded, stating that although many mainstream outlets have been “quite representative of the beautiful work… inside the Encampment,” there are “many mainstream outlets [that] have failed [them]” and “misrepresented” the events. 

After the press conference, Bwog spoke with an Encampment protester named Fabiola. Bwog referenced a United Nations expert’s statement that “attacks on education cannot be tolerated,” referring to the destruction of universities in Gaza. Bwog asked Fabiola how this relates to her experience of education currently. She stated that the administration “cannot expect [demonstrators]” to be taught about student movements “about decolonization…racism,” and “structural oppression,” and “not show up when [they] see that play out in real life.” Fabiola stated that over the past week, she’s “learned more [at the Encampment] than [she’s] learned in many classes.” She stated, “I’ve learned from my peers, what it means to show up for each other, what it means to be in solidarity with those in Gaza that do not have any… access to education right now.” 

Bwog also asked Fabiola how accommodating professors have been and if hybrid education has been feasible. She said that although her professors have personally been accommodating, even some visiting the Encampment, she “cannot focus on academics right now.” She remarked that this is “not a choice,” but a “reality that a lot of students are facing right now.” She stated that she “think[s] that the University will have to take measures to ensure that… academics are not affected by this… [and] that [students] can have time to actually show what [they] can do in an academic setting.” 

Finally, Bwog asked how protesters’ experiences in the last week at the Encampment have furthered their goals. Fabiola discussed how solidarity between protesters and teach-ins have “strengthened [her] support and… mixed feelings for what’s going on.” She stated, “Sometimes it can be disheartening to see the administration actively working against their own peaceful protesters. But when I see that Gaza sees us and that the world sees us,” Fabiola said, referring to a video of Gazan children thanking Columbia, Harvard, and Yale students and faculty members, “I remember that we must stand here and fight for that.” 

The next CUAD press conference will be held tomorrow at 2:30 pm.

Columbia gates via Bwog Archives