The New York Police Department (NYPD) entered Columbia University's campus after two weeks of demonstrations which culminated in Monday night's riot and occupation of Hamilton Hall.
Just after 9 p.m., police arrived outside Hamilton Hall wearing riot gear. Officers were accompanied by an armored vehicle equipped with a ladder to assist officers in entering the building's upper floors.
By 11 p.m., nearly 100 arrests were made and numerous barricades were cleared, according to NBC News.
Earlier Tuesday, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik sent a letter to the NYPD detailing Monday night's occupation and requesting the assistance of authorities.
According to Shafik's letter, one individual hid inside Hamilton Hall after it was closed to students. The individual then allowed students and others entrance into the building as demonstrations devolved into riots.
"We believe that while the group who broke into the building includes students, it is led by individuals who are not affiliated with the University," Shafik wrote. "The individuals who have occupied Hamilton Hall have vandalized University property and are trespassing."
The university president went on to detail Columbia students’ Gaza encampment, which expanded from its initial West Lawn location to the Math Lawn as of Monday night. "The group was informed that they are not permitted to occupy spaces on campus, are in violation of the University's rules and policies and must disperse," Shafik continued, noting demonstrators were initially given until 2 p.m. on Monday to disperse their encampment. "At this time, all participants in the encampments are suspended, not authorized to be on University property and are trespassing."
Shafik noted Monday night's riot and occupation of Hamilton Hall raise "serious safety concerns" for the university's community, adding the events have become a "magnet" for outside agitators.
"With the utmost regret, we request the NYPD's help to clear all individuals from Hamilton Hall and all campus encampments. As part of this process, we understand that the NYPD plans to use its LRAD [long-range acoustic device] technology to inform participants in the encampments that they must disperse."
The university president requested NYPD presence on campus until May 17 to prevent demonstrators from re-establishing encampments.
"Columbia is committed to allowing members of our community to engage in political expression — within established rules and with respect for the safety of all," her letter concluded. "The policies we have in place around demonstrations are in place to support both the right to expression and the safety and functioning of our University."
On Tuesday, Columbia University Spokesperson Ben Chang announced students participating in the siege of the building would face expulsion while others involved will be suspended.
