Overview
- Columbia University temporarily suspended more than 65 students and barred 33 others from campus following a pro-Palestinian protest at Butler Library on May 7, 2025.
- The NYPD arrested approximately 80 individuals after masked demonstrators forced their way into the library, disrupted students studying for finals, and vandalized the premises.
- Acting President Claire Shipman condemned the protest as a safety hazard, citing injuries to two public safety officers during the incident.
- The U.S. State Department announced it is reviewing the visa statuses of international students involved, with one student's visa already revoked.
- This protest is the latest in a series of campus demonstrations tied to broader calls for divestment from Israel and a ceasefire in Gaza, escalating tensions over free speech, safety, and federal oversight.