Columbia University’s school year began this week with New York Police Department officers arresting two students in front of campus at a pro-Palestine demonstration.
At the rally on Tuesday, dozens of students marched along a metal barricade in front of the Morningside campus, continuing their calls from the prior year for the school to divest from companies with ties to Israel amid the country’s war in Gaza and continued occupation of the West Bank — the same cause that drove the encampments and occupation of Hamilton Hall in the spring, which resulted in mass arrests and student suspensions.
The NYPD said officers arrested two 21-year-old protesters who were held on suspicion of misdemeanors: obstructing governmental administration, disorderly conduct, attempted obstruction, and attempted disorderly conduct. Both were later released with tickets ordering their appearance to court.
The Intercept…