Over the weekend, Columbia University students and graduates protested the school’s compliance with the Trump administration’s demands to combat antisemitism and the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian leader on campus. Graduate students from the School of International and Public Affairs shredded their own diplomas to show their outrage, with one student stating that SIPA and Columbia are not proud but enraged. The protest took place during Columbia’s Alumni Day celebration, and the university stated that disruptions to their academic mission would not be tolerated. Khalil was arrested by ICE agents in March for alleged ties to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, and is now fighting deportation in court.
As part of the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on pro-Palestinian violence on campus, Columbia University agreed to certain demands, such as barring student protesters from wearing masks and other coverings. The school also faced the revocation of $400 million in federal funding due to their perceived failure to control the situation. Katrina Armstrong, who was serving as the interim president, resigned amid the unrest. The university’s board of trustees thanked her for her service and expressed appreciation for her contributions to the school.
During the protest, participants renounced their degrees and destroyed their diplomas in a show of solidarity with Khalil and the Palestinian cause. Chants of “Free, free Palestine” could be heard, as protesters expressed their anger and frustration at the university’s actions. The Department of Homeland Security accused Khalil of leading activities aligned with Hamas and studying at Lebanese American University before pursuing his master’s degree at Columbia. The rally occurred off-campus and without incident, according to a university spokesperson.
Columbia University’s compliance with the Trump administration’s demands has sparked controversy and led to internal discord at the institution. The decision to accede to these demands has resulted in backlash from students and alumni, who feel that their rights to freedom of expression and protest are being curtailed. The ongoing legal battle over Khalil’s deportation adds another layer of complexity to the situation, as the university grapples with the fallout from their actions. Despite the challenges and tensions, Columbia University is standing by its decision and enforcing its policies to maintain order on campus.
The protest at Columbia University highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the impact it has on academic institutions. Students and graduates are expressing their dissatisfaction with the school’s handling of the situation and are taking a stand in support of Palestinian rights. The resignations of key figures, such as interim president Katrina Armstrong, underscore the depth of the controversy and the challenges facing the university as it navigates this turbulent period. As the legal battle over Khalil’s deportation continues, the future of the situation remains uncertain, with implications for both Columbia University and the broader academic community.
