Columbia University protesters demand free food and water

• Columbia University students occupied Hamilton Hall on Tuesday
• Pro Palestine protesters have been camped out since April 17
• NYPD warned the protests have been infiltrated by ‘external agitators’

Columbia University protesters are demanding food and water be brought to their encampment so they don’t ‘die of dehydration and starvation’.

Students pleaded for ‘basic humanitarian aid’ to be delivered to those illegally occupying Hamilton Hall.

Tensions at the campus ramped up again on Tuesday after activists broke in and seized the historic university building.

The NYPD warned that the demonstration has been co-opted by ‘professional, external actors unaffiliated with the university’ who are deliberately attempting to agitate.

However, a spokesperson for the protest insisted that Columbia is still, ‘obligated to provide food to students who pay for a meal plan’.

Columbia University protesters demanded food and water be brought to their encampment so they don’t ‘die of dehydration and starvation’ during a press conference on Tuesday

The request came hours after activists stormed Hamilton Hall forcing the university to close its campus

The spokesperson for the protest insisted that Columbia is still, ‘obligated to provide food to students who pay for a meal plan’. Pictured: Pro Palestine activists as the school gates on Tuesday

The occupation was an escalation of the unrest which has been rocking Columbia since April 17 when an encampment sprung up. Pictured: A Palestinian flag waves from a statue of Alexander Hamilton outside Hamilton Hall on  April 30, 2024

‘Do you want students to die of dehydration and starvation or get severely ill even if you disagree with them?’ the spokesperson said.

‘If the answer is no then you should allow basic, it’s crazy to say because we’re on an Ivy League campus, but this is basic humanitarian aid we’re asking for. Could people please just have a glass of water?’

The spokesperson addressed media who had gathered at Hamilton Hall to grill them about the occupation.

‘It’s a question of what kind of community and obligation Columbia has to its students,’ the spokesperson said.

‘We’re asking them to not violently stop us bringing in basic humanitarian aid.’

The occupation is an escalation of the unrest which has rocked the campus in recent weeks ever since an encampment sprung up on the South Lawns on April 17.

Protesters are demanding that Columbia divest from companies with ties to Israel or firms profiting from its war on Hamas.

More than 100 activists have already been arrested at the school since the encampment began.

Students pleaded for ‘basic humanitarian aid’ to be delivered to those illegally occupying Hamilton Hall

Protesters are demanding that Columbia divest from companies with ties to Israel or firms profiting from its war on Hamas

The NYPD warned the occupation could spread to other Columbia buildings or campuses across the country

At a press conference, the NYPD stated some of the external agitators at the protest have been known to the force ‘for many years’.

Assistant Commissioner Rebecca Weiner warned that the occupation had the potential to spill into other campus buildings, as well as other universities across the country.

‘This is not about what’s happening overseas, it’s not about the last seven months, it’s about a very different commitment to at times violent protest activity as an occupation,’ she said of the external agitators.

‘They haven’t got a right to be on campus and this violates university polices and most importantly, presents a danger to students and the university and communities.

‘When we see what we saw last night, we think these tactics are a result of guidance being given to students from these external actors.’

The force confirmed it remains on standby to assist the university should officials decide the enlist their help.

Police confirmed those occupying Hamilton Hall could be charged with trespass and burglary, while those in the encampment could be hit with trespassing and disorderly conduct charges.

Occupants of Hamilton Hall have now been threatened with expulsion and could face criminal charges

Mayor Eric Adams warned at a press conference on Tuesday that the protests have been infiltrated by external agitators

Mayor Eric Adams warned external actors were sowing ‘chaos’ and he pleaded with protesters to disperse.

‘They are actively creating serious public safety issues. Maybe some of the students don’t understand what they are involved in,’ Mayor Adams said.

‘We urge those violating Columbia’s order to leave the area and leave the area now. If you are a parent of guardian of a student please call your child and urge them to leave before the situation escalates in any way.’

In a campus update on Tuesday, President Minouche Shafik threatened those within Hamilton Hall with expulsion.

‘Our top priority is restoring safety and order on our campus,’ the update read.

‘We made it very clear yesterday the work of the University cannot be endlessly interrupted by protesters who violate the rules.

‘Continuing to do so will be met with clear consequences. Protesters have chosen to escalate to an untenable situation–vandalizing property, breaking doors and windows, and blockading entrances–and we are following through with the consequences we outlined yesterday.’

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