US student arrested after more than 100 occupy Columbia University

Pro-Palestinian protesters occupied Columbia University's library on Wednesday, vowing to stay there as the school year ends.

More than 100 Columbia University students occupied the university’s Butler Library, saying they would stay there through the end of the school year. Public safety has attempted to kettle the building, and one student has been arrested so far. 

The students have renamed the library Basel Al-Araj Popular University after a Palestinian activist who was killed by an Israeli police unit in 2017.

Columbia students inspired a Gaza solidarity protest movement across the country after setting up an encampment last April. However, students have faced arrests, disciplinary proceedings, and expulsions as a result of their protests.

In addition, although university administration cracked down on student protests, the Trump administration has rescinded $400m in federal funding, saying that Columbia has not done enough to clamp down on antisemitism. The university has agreed to demands from the government, including revising disciplinary procedures, banning masks during protests, and allowing the government to have oversight of the prestigious Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies department.