Pro-Palestinian protesters occupy American university building | Abroad

A group of demonstrators entered Hamilton Hall on the night of Monday to Tuesday (local time). That’s according to CNN one of the university’s main academic buildings. Dozens of activists are said to be in the building.

The occupation is in response to Columbia University’s decision to suspend students who refuse to take down their tents on campus. The university warned students on Monday morning that they had to leave the premises before 2 p.m. that same day.

Students also had to sign a form in which they promised to adhere to the rules. Otherwise a suspension would follow. But according to CNN the university started suspending students before 2 p.m.

There has been a tent camp on the campus of Columbia University for almost two weeks. Students protest against the war in Gaza and the US government’s policies on it.

The university advises members and non-essential employees to avoid campus. “The safety of every member of this community is paramount,” Columbia University wrote on its website.

The rector of the university, Minouche Shafik, previously said in a statement that there had been negotiations for days between student organizations and the university board. These did not lead to students demolishing the tent camp.

The first major American student protests against the war in Gaza took place at Columbia University earlier this month. Columbia is one of the prestigious American Ivy League universities.

The protests have since spread to educational institutions across the United States. About 350 demonstrators were arrested last weekend. On Monday, there was a clash in Austin, Texas, between protesting students and police, who deployed pepper spray and made dozens of arrests.

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