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Students in Columbia Encampment Defy University’s Threat of Suspension for Not Vacating

Demonstrators accused the school of fabricating a ‘state of emergency’

Published: April 29, 2024
  |   By Chris Karr
Students in Columbia Encampment Defy University’s Threat of Suspension for Not Vacating

Students at Columbia University have refused to vacate a pro-Palestine encampment after school officials threatened the demonstrators with suspension.


Independent reporter Katie Smith posted a video showing university faculty members linking arms to form a wall at the entrance of what protestors have deemed the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment.” Hundreds of students marched in a circle around the encampment.

A notice issued by the university early Monday informed the protesters they would have to leave the encampment by 2 p.m. or face suspension.

“As you are probably aware, the dialogue between the University and student leaders of the encampment is, regrettably, at an impasse,” the notice states. “The current unauthorized encampment and disruption on Columbia University’s campus is creating an unwelcoming environment for members of our community. External actors have also contributed to this environment, especially around our gates, causing safety concerns – including for our neighbors.”

The university said it would offer an alternative venue for protesting after exams and the commencement.

The notice lists seven university policies that the encampment is violating. If students voluntarily leave by 2 p.m., identify themselves to school officials, and sign a pledge to adhere to university policies, they will avoid suspension.

“We regret that we need to take these actions, but we must restore order to the campus so that all students can complete their work for the term, study for exams, and feel welcome in the community,” the notice added.


In response, Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine (CSJP) published an X post urging protestors to not comply.

“Do not sign anything with administration,” the group wrote. “Show up at NOON to protect the encampment.”


In a press release posted on X early this afternoon, CSJP referred to the university’s directive as “repulsive scare tactics [that] mean nothing compared to the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians.” The group claimed Columbia was “illegally fabricat[ing] a ‘state of emergency,’” while arguing that the “the true ‘state of emergency’ [is] Columbia’s complicity in genocide.”

Around 1 p.m. a group of New York City Police (NYPD) officers arrived at the main gate of the university. Just outside the campus, at 115th Street and Broadway, officers erected a barricade.




Shortly before the 2 p.m. deadline, pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protestors gathered outside the school’s main gates.

“Free, free, free Palestine,” some demonstrators chanted. “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. We will not stop, we will not rest – disclose, divest.”

Smith reported that one protestor had been arrested by NYPD for using a sound device.


Others reported seeing a large crowd of students in the encampment, some of whom were chanting, “Columbia, you can go to hell.”

“Columbia was the first elite institution struck by protests in support of the Palestinian cause, with students demanding that the school divest from investments in weapons manufacturing and that support Israel amid the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war, in which more than 34,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip,” NBC News reports.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this article claimed that a chant said "expose, divest," but has been updated with the correct chant, which states "disclose, divest." 

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