**Pro-Palestinian Demonstrators Occupy Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall**
In a dramatic turn of events early Tuesday morning, a group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied Hamilton Hall on Columbia University’s Morningside campus. The historic building, known for being taken over during anti-Vietnam War protests in 1968, became the center of attention once again as protesters barricaded themselves inside with desks, chairs, and vending machines.
Witnesses reported a large group of demonstrators gathering outside the hall before a smaller group rushed inside, breaking windows with a hammer and locking the doors from the inside. The protesters unfurled a banner from a window reading “Free Palestine” and renamed the building “Hind’s Hall” in honor of a six-year-old Palestinian child killed in Gaza.
The university issued a public safety advisory urging students and staff to avoid the Morningside campus on Tuesday. The group representing the demonstrators released a statement outlining their demands, which include Columbia divesting from companies profiting from Israeli apartheid and occupation in Palestine.
Despite the escalating tensions, the NYPD has not been called onto campus, with officers stationed outside the private property. Students described the campus as “lawless” and “utter anarchy” overnight, with barricades and broken windows visible in Hamilton Hall.
The occupation comes after Columbia imposed a deadline for protesters to dismantle their encampment, which was set up in support of Palestinians. The administration offered to review student proposals but refused to divest from Israel, leading to the occupation of Hamilton Hall.
Similar protests have been seen at Rutgers University, where students set up an encampment to demand divestment from Israel. The movement has sparked nationwide support, with students risking suspension to stand up for their beliefs.
As tensions continue to rise on college campuses, the debate over divestment from Israel and support for Palestine shows no signs of slowing down. Graduation ceremonies at Columbia are scheduled for May 15, with the encampment still in place on the main lawn.