New York Police Department's (NYPD) Chief of Patrol John M. Chell and Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry responded to New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's criticism of the department's actions at Columbia University.
Last week, pro-Palestinian and anti-Jewish protests kicked off at Columbia University. Similar protests have also bubbled up across other universities throughout the country.
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik took an "extraordinary step" and summoned NYPD to disperse the crowds. One hundred students were arrested and charged with trespassing.
Ocasio-Cortez responded to NYPD's presence on campus in a Wednesday X post.
"Not only did Columbia make the horrific decision to mobilize NYPD on their own students, but the units called in have some of the most violent reputations on the force," Ocasio-Cortez wrote. "NYPD had promised the city wouldn't deploy SRG [strategic response groups] to protests. So why are these counter-terror units here?”
On Thursday, Chell responded to the New York representative's criticism in his own X post.
"Columbia decided to hold its students accountable to the laws of the school. They are seeing the consequences of their actions. Something these kids were most likely never taught," he wrote. "Good SAT scores and self-entitlement do not supersede the law. I am sure you would agree that we have to teach them these valuable life skills."
Chell noted he was with responding units on campus last Thursday and said officers removed students with "great care and professionalism," noting the department had not received a single incident report.
"The only incidents that day on campus were the student's hateful anti-Semitic speech and vile language towards our cops," he continued. "I am sure you agree any hateful speech is unacceptable. You should rethink your comments to a simple thank you to the NYPD and hate has no place in our society."
The chief of patrol then encouraged Ocasio-Cortez to walk across Columbia or New York University's campus to hear protestors’ remarks first hand.
"I will ensure those ‘units’ will protect you as they do for all NYers 24/7/365," he continued. "Lack of accountability = consequences. Hate from anyone, anywhere has no place in our city and country."
Daughtry similarly responded to the New York representative shortly after.
"Everyone has a constitutional right to protest, it's one of the pillars our great democracy is built on," Daughtry wrote. "But kids also have a right to go to school without being harassed, threatened, intimidated or assaulted."
Daughtry insisted there was nothing "horrific" about NYPD's response to Columbia University protests, noting officers were ensuring the safety of fellow students.
"We’ve said it time and time again, the NYPD will always protect and defend your right to protest but just because you hold a sign while you’re threatening, harassing, intimidating and assaulting people doesn’t give you a free pass from criminal conduct," Daughtry continued. "Being anti-Semitic and spewing hate to kids will never ever be tolerated in our city."
The NYPD deputy commissioner then lauded his fellow officers for their training and professionalism.
"Everyday, they have to endure insults, threats, and hate speech merely because the uniform they wear as they try to keep the peace and protect everyone’s rights," he continued before similarly encouraging Ocasio-Cortez to walk through Columbia’s campus to see protests firsthand. "I promise our officers will, like always, do their job, and protect you like they have protected everyone on campus regardless of what your political beliefs are. We’ll also take a report if you feel threatened"
