Columbia University protests broken up by NYPD NBC Connecticut [Video]

More than 100 protesters were arrested Thursday afternoon after the president of Columbia University called on the NYPD to clear a group of protesters from the Morningside Heights campus’ South Lawn, calling their action disruptive and dangerous to the college and community.

The protesters originally set up an encampment Wednesday morning on the South Lawn, ahead of Columbia University President Minouche Shafik’s testimony before Congress about campus antisemitism in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. A day later, Shafik reported to police that their continued presence was problematic.

The students had been opposing Israeli military action in Gaza and demanding the school divest from companies they claim “profit from Israeli apartheid.”

More than 100 people were occupying the South Lawn at the time Shafik sent the letter Thursday. She said they ignored repeated written and oral warnings, starting Wednesday, that they were in violation of university rules and must disperse. Shafik also …