Columbia University asks staff and students to avoid campus due to pro-Palestine protests

Columbia University asked staff and students to stay away from its main campus on Tuesday as pro-Palestine protests are still ongoing.

"In light of the protest activity on campus, members of the University community who can avoid coming to the Morningside campus today should do so," the school said in a statement, adding that essential staff members should still head to campus.

Students took over the university's Hamilton Hall and barricaded themselves to protest the school's refusal to divest from Israel.

They renamed the building "Hind's Hall", in honour of the Palestinian girl who was killed by Israeli forces in January after calling the Palestinian Red Crescent for help, as she was the sole survivor in her family's car.