Arrests underway as pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University take over Butler Library

Kerry Burke and Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News on May 7, 2025

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NEW YORK — Arrests were underway late Wednesday as the NYPD moved in to clear about 100 pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University who took over Butler Library just days before final exams.

Several hours into the protest, Acting President Claire Shipman authorized the NYPD to enter campus, on top of a limited number of arrests made by campus security who have the power to take in students. Shortly after, police began clearing the library, coming out with dozens of protesters in zip ties.

The university’s temporary leader — its third in as many years — attributed the decision to the large number of protesters, including a group trying to force their way into the library and people they suspect do not attend the school.

“Requesting the presence of the NYPD is not the outcome we wanted, but it was absolutely necessary to secure the safety of our community,” Shipman wrote.

She said protesters injured two Columbia officers while trying to force their way into the building and the room of the demonstration.

Videos on social media showed the activists, who wore masks, pushing through security at the entrance of Butler, the main campus library, shortly after 3 p.m., steps away from where students pitched a tent demonstration last year. They played drums, and posted signs and stickers to free Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia grad who has been detained by federal immigration authorities.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams condemned the protest by making a plea to their parents on live television.

“Parents, if your children are going to Columbia campus and participate in this, I think you should reach out to them,” Adams said on NBC 4. “This is not what you do on the college campus, particularly going inside a library and protesting in this manner. We are in engagement with the college.”

At least three protesters were brought out of the library by Columbia security in handcuffs. There was no immediate information available on what charges they might face.

A fourth person was taken out on a gurney by emergency medics and put into a Columbia ambulance.

The NYPD had not entered campus as of 6 p.m., but were stationed outside the gates.

Nearly an hour into the protest, the large group attempted to push through public safety and out of the reading room, but were stopped by personnel who asked for their identification cards, the videos show.

Through a megaphone, one officer informed students that if they show ID, they will be allowed to leave “without issue,” but failure to do so would make them subject to arrest.

“Individuals have been asked for identification, which will be recorded, and asked to disperse. They have been told that failure to comply will result in violations of our rules and policies and possible arrest,” the school said in a statement.

The statement said protesters would face disciplinary action after an investigation.

“It is completely unacceptable that some individuals are choosing to disrupt academic activities as our students are studying and preparing for final exams.”

A vandal with a green marker wrote on glass cases and desks “Columbia will burn 4 the martyrs” and “Butler was a Nazi,” an apparent reference to former Columbia president Nicholas Murray Butler, according to photos on social media.

Hours into the protest, one person pulled a fire alarm inside the library, renewing the protesters’ calls to be let go without the precondition of their identity. Another group of about 50 demonstrators gathered outside the library chanting “Free Palestine.”

Columbia finals begin on Friday, according to an academic calendar.

“It’s an utter disgrace,” said Columbia alum Franziska Sittig, 24, who finished a master’s program last year. “My finals were disrupted last year. Neither the administration nor the protesters have learned anything.”

The library demonstration was at least the third major takeover of a campus building this semester, after activists staged occupations of an administrative building and library at the affiliated Barnard College.

Columbia is actively negotiating with the Trump administration to restore $400 million in federal funding that was canceled over claims the school did not do enough to protect Jewish students from harassment during the protests.

“Once again, protesters violated many University rules,” Hillel executive director Brian Cohen said in a statement Wednesday, “and infringed on the rights of Jewish students to study for exams without being screamed at and harassed.”

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(With Josephine Stratman.)

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