By h. nazan ışık —

30 April 2024 —

After student protesters took over Hamilton Hall on the campus early Tuesday morning, on 30 April, in a statement Columbia said that only students who live in on-campus residence halls and essential personnel have restricted access to its Morningside campus. All Morningside libraries were closed and all classes would be remote.

It was announced that all gates would be closed except the 116th Street and Amsterdam Avenue gate with a check-point.

Early in the morning everything was very quiet on the campus when I left, but not outside.

There was a long line of students, faculty members, and workers to get in at the 116 street Amsterdam Avenue gate. Everyone had to tap  their Columbia ID. If the scanner beeped and showed a red light, the person wouldn’t gain access to the campus. And most of the time, almost always it was red.  © h.nazan ışık

Very chaotic it was. Looked like not everyone got the announcement, or some people were just curious..

A person: “I am a faculty, I have a class.”

Public safety officer (PSO) : “Classes are remote. Go home.” 

Person “ So, faculty is not essential?

PSO : “ No, go home!”

I asked a public safety officer: “Who are the essential workers?

Public safety officer: “Public safety, first line facilities, medical devision, anyone at the lab work…and if that person’s name is on the computer given by the department head.”

A student :“I am a student, I need to go to the library.”

PSO: “All libraries are closed, go home.”

It went on and on and on, different person with different question, same answer : go home!

There were some police officers around, but not many. I left  Amsterdam Ave. to go to Broadway gates.

There were about 20 people playing drums and chanting.

” Free, free Palestine!”

“Free Palestine end the occupation NOW!”

” Stop Genocide GAZA Ceasefire now”

Later about 17:00 (5:pm) when I came back to Amsterdam Ave and 116th street, I saw a lot of police officers put in many barricades around. Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway were shut down to traffic.

Some protesters, between barricades and the gate, protesting, chanting. Police looked ready to move, but not doing anything, Since Columbia is a private institution like NYU, law enforcement has to be invited, requested by University administration to get in,  So I guess officers were waiting for a final order,  invitation from the Columbia President Shafik. © h. nazan ışık

A protester waved a Palestinian flag atop Hamilton Hall. © h. nazan ışık

Police drones were up in the air. A police officer was preparing another drone  to go up in the air as well as towards the campus .© h.nazan ışık

University President Shafik had once authorized the NYPD to enter campus on 18 April, and now again the NYPD received an invitation to enter campus to clear Hamilton Hall and encampment.

Shortly after 9 p.m. police in riot gear, wearing helmets and carrying zip ties walked towards the campus.  © h.nazan ışık

The NYPD announced that if protesters didn’t move they would be arrested. © h.nazan ışık

Protesters rearranged  barricades to block officers, but eventually they moved. © h.nazan ışık

After protesters were removed from the gate, officers were ready to move. © h.nazan ışık

Officers created a human wall between the gate and spectators/ protesters and the press

Officers brought out arrested protesters, I believed from outside of Hamilton Hall and around the encampment. Most likely the ones who occupied Hamilton Hall were still inside.  © h nazan ışık

Shortly afterward, the NYPD Emergency Service Unit arrived with a huge black equipment called “Bearcat” to enter Hamilton Hall.  © h.nazan ışık

Offices climbed a ladder extended from the Bearcat and entered the building through a second-floor window of Hamilton Hall. © h. nazan ışık

Officers, obvious reasons, didn’t want to break the window, preferred to open it to get into Hamilton Hall. I didn’t time it but it took some time. It was a rather small opening. Some officers tried to get in head first, some legs first!!!. It was like a scene from a movie. Even some officers were watching it.

Did the NYPD really need this Bearcat, since Columbia University has plenty gates to get in. Looked like a real show off….

Arrested protesters were taken in NYPD buses. © h.nazan ışık 

Photographs by © h. nazan ışık 

© h. nazan ışık / NKENdiKEN