Chaos at Columbia University: Pro-Palestinian Protesters Storm Butler Library | Watch

During the evening of Wednesday, Columbia University found itself at the center of new protests when some pro-Palestinian protesters invaded the university’s Butler Library. This action followed the nationwide student movement that started last year with calls for an end to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

The protestors moved through the library, and tensions grew while the situation got out of hand, leading authorities to request the New York Police Department (NYPD) to bring in reinforcements.

Protests Intensify at Columbia University

The protests that erupted at Columbia University were reflective of those that had occurred in different parts of the United States during the last year, with students clamoring for a stand to be taken against the violence in Gaza. Consequently, the university, already in the news for its reaction to similar protests, witnessed considerable intensification of unrest on its campus.

NOW: Violent Clashes as Police arrest and push against Pro-Palestine protesters as hundreds march through streets outside Columbia University pic.twitter.com/uGwDi7KBhp

— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) May 8, 2025

These tensions were added to by the actions of the Trump administration, which had previously condemned Columbia University for failing to adequately suppress protests, leading to the withholding of funds from the university.

Video at the scene captured protestors being taken into custody by the NYPD, with several people being observed with their hands behind their backs in zip ties. An NYPD spokesperson reports that “Multiple individuals who failed to comply with verbal direction by the NYPD to disperse were apprehended.” The number of arrests has not yet been released.

A Broader Political Backdrop

This recent wave of demonstrations has rekindled long-standing political tensions at the university. The unrest comes on the heels of a spate of criticism over Columbia University’s response to similar protests over the past year. In the meantime, tensions at the university have spilled out of the library and onto other areas of the campus, further fueling the explosive atmosphere.

A Break in the Protests: DOJ’s Announcement of Hate Crime Charges

During the chaos, one major development was when the Department of Justice (DOJ) charged 20-year-old Tarek Bazrouk with federal hate crimes. The charges resulted from attacks against Jewish people, especially during protests last year in the area surrounding Columbia University. This indictment brings to light the tension regarding the campus protests and the growing worry about intensifying violence.

Columbia University’s recent protests are a grim reminder of the thin line between free speech and campus civil unrest. As the campus becomes more polarized along political lines, it is to be seen how the institution will navigate its role in promoting academic freedom in the face of rising tensions.