Watch: Masked pro-Palestinian mob storms Columbia library, trigger police response

New York police officers entered Columbia University ’s Butler Library on Wednesday evening after a group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied the building, escalating tensions on a campus already under federal scrutiny for protest-related policies.

The standoff began around 3:30 p.m. when Columbia University Apartheid Divest ( CUAD ), a pro-Palestinian student group, rallied supporters online, urging them to "reclaim" the library’s main reading room, which they renamed the “Basel Al-Araj Popular University” in honour of a Palestinian writer and activist. Masked protesters flooded the room, unfurled Palestinian flags, and defaced furniture and framed portraits with slogans such as “Columbia will burn” and “Free Gaza.”

🚨 BREAKING: @Columbia protesters are once again occupying Butler Library, while chanting “from the river to the sea,” distributing Hamas propaganda, and harassing students during finals week.

Public Safety is now saying protesters must present ID to leave or face arrest. pic.twitter.com/1ynCNznWkS

— Yehuda Teitelbaum (@chalavyishmael) May 7, 2025

BREAKING: @Columbia Public Safety is not letting protesters leave without showing ID, saying they will arrest any of them who refuse.

Strong message and strong move. This needs to end with accountability. pic.twitter.com/wFLg4PvHVP

— Elisha (Lishi) Baker (@LishiBaker) May 7, 2025

The university responded by repeatedly asking those involved to present identification and vacate the premises, warning that non-compliance would lead to arrests. Videos circulated on social media show scuffles at the entrance to the library, with protesters refusing to show ID and chanting “Let us go!” as campus security blocked others from joining the occupation.

Columbia University protest escalates: Police arrest demonstrators who barricaded library.

Columbia would not have insisted on the protestors arrest before President Trump.

All we needed was a new president.

pic.twitter.com/ad6QRfRB2I

— Tim (@Dragonboy155) May 7, 2025

By early evening, Columbia University President Claire Shipman confirmed that NYPD officers had been called in “to assist in securing the building and the safety of our community.” Around 60 protesters were led out of the library in zip ties, some resisting removal. The university also reported that two of its public safety officers were injured during what it described as a “crowd surge.”

BREAKING NEWS:

Columbia police have begun making arrests after multiple officers were assaulted.

The protestors aren't being released until they remove their masks for identification. pic.twitter.com/zKlP1fNrEM

Demand that charges are now brought and the students are expelled.

— Mila Joy (@MilaLovesJoe) May 7, 2025

Columbia condemned the disruptions, calling them unacceptable especially during final exams. The school also criticised acts of antisemitism, hate, and violence that occurred during the protest. In an internal alert, it advised students to avoid the area and confirmed the library’s closure.

Public safety has assaulted dozens of protestors so far and is refusing to let people in and out of the building despite an active fire alarm

All out to the Columbia gates! pic.twitter.com/oyItEbtXbL

— CU Apartheid Divest (CUAD) (@ColumbiaBDS) May 7, 2025

The demonstration came just two days after Israel’s cabinet approved a full military takeover of Gaza, and as the Trump administration pushes for stronger federal oversight of universities accused of harbouring antisemitism. Columbia, which was stripped of federal funds earlier this year, recently agreed to a series of reforms including bans on protester face coverings, compulsory ID checks during demonstrations, and the hiring of 36 new security officers authorised to make arrests.

Meanwhile, federal prosecutors announced hate crime charges against 20-year-old Tarek Bazrouk, who is accused of attacking Jewish individuals at previous pro-Palestinian rallies in New York, including one near Columbia. His lawyer said they intend to vigorously defend the case.

CUAD issued a defiant statement online, warning that “repression breeds resistance” and calling for full divestment from Israel and amnesty for all disciplined students.