Protests Shake Columbia University as President Addresses Campus Turmoil

Columbia University's President Minouche Shafik addressed the ongoing anti-Israel protests on campus, calling the last two weeks "among the most difficult in Columbia's history." She expressed her concern over the turmoil, tension, division, and disruption that have impacted the entire community.

Impact on Students

Shafik highlighted the impact of the protests on the students, noting that they have paid a high price by losing out on the final days of the academic year in classrooms and residence halls. She specifically mentioned the seniors who are finishing college online, emphasizing the challenges they have faced.

Protest at Hamilton Hall

The university president spoke about the recent police raid on the Hamilton Hall administration building, which was illegally occupied by protesters. She mentioned that despite attempts to resolve the issue through dialogue and expressing understanding for the protesters' concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the situation escalated when the building was occupied, putting both students and protesters at risk.

As someone who grew up in a Muslim family in Egypt and worked with people from diverse backgrounds, Shafik stressed the importance of bridging divides and seeing the other side's point of view. She acknowledged the longstanding issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, antisemitism, and Islamophobia, stating that while Columbia cannot solve these issues single-handedly, it can set an example of civil discourse and empathy.