Columbia Anti-Israel Protesters Smash Windows, Occupy Campus Building in Overnight Escalation

Anti-Israel protesters at Columbia University took over a building on campus early Tuesday morning after the school began suspending students for refusing to disperse from the anti-Israel encampment set up on the campus quad last week.

Dozens of Columbia protesters occupied Hamilton Hall Tuesday and barricaded the entrances to claim the area as their own. Footage emerged on social media of protesters smashing windows and barricading themselves inside the building.

The protesters hung a sign that reads “Hinds Hall” from the building, commemorating the death of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza.

Columbia public safety confirmed student protesters occupied Hamilton Hall and advised the campus community to avoid the area if possible. Campus access will be restricted to students living in residential buildings and all of the entrances to Columbia will be closed except for the gate on 116th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. In the name of safety, Columbia is suspending press access to campus as reporters from news outlets nationwide have flocked to the area to cover the protest.