I started posting this here but I’m not sure anyone saw it. It’s looking like there might be some more arrests made tonight at Columbia. Video shows police have gathered outside the campus.
#BREAKING HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE with cops with bats and helmets outside of Columbia University. Streets around it are now FROZEN ZONES. Speculation that raid is imminent. pic.twitter.com/zsGnUHWeO9
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) April 30, 2024
Police have also reportedly announced the charges that students inside and outside the building will face.
#NEW NYPD announced the charged that Protesters will face at Columbia Encampment and occupation.
For those inside stormed Hamilton Hall – Burglary in the 3rd degree, criminal mischief and trespassing.
For protesters in the encampment outide – trespassing and disorderly conduct pic.twitter.com/sxYU7fq7AI
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) April 30, 2024
Access to the campus has been cut off: Students are now gathering outside the occupied building.
Students wearing keffiyehs are beginning to gather outside Hamilton Hall. One is wearing goggles — perhaps in anticipation of tear gas.
Gov. Kathy Hochul put out a video about an hour ago (as I write this) talking about the protests at Columbia. She seems to be on board with taking action to end this so that graduation can proceed as intended. Honestly, this would have been more helpful if she said this last week when things began escalating.
My number one priority is the safety of New Yorkers.
We have been in close contact with colleges & universities across the state. They must ensure all campuses are safe & graduates can celebrate commencements in the coming weeks. We have offered to support efforts as needed. pic.twitter.com/bUVlI57rmN
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) April 30, 2024
Another video of police gathering outside the campus. As always, there is nothing that leftists love more than shouting at the police.
#NOW Massive ammount of SRG and other NYPD units outside of Columbia University, possible raid imminent on the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” inside.
Video by Kevin RC Wilson [email protected] to license pic.twitter.com/YmyRzaaqWY
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) May 1, 2024
And Columbia has sent out a warning to students to avoid the area:
It reads: “Shelter in place for your safety due to heightened activity on the Morningside campus. Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action. Avoid the area until further notice.”
There is another police action taking place at CUNY right now. Protesters there are being arrested. I’m not going to post video of that here because it will confuse things, but it’s happening.
It’s not clear if this imminent police raid was requested by Columbia President Shafik or if this is being driven by Mayor Adams who made a point of saying just a couple hours ago that the building takeovers needed to end.
Rebecca Weiner, deputy commissioner for the NYPD’s counterterrorism bureau, described the takeover as “far beyond first amendment protected speech and peaceful protest.”
“We are urging people to take this opportunity to leave Hamilton Hall,” she said.
Mayor Eric Adams (D) was more direct: “This must end now.”
That’s pretty much everything that has happened up to the moment I’m writing this. I’ll keep an eye on it and update this post as things develop.