Protests continue at Columbia University and they’ve moved to virtual classes as tensions heighten amidst ongoing protests about the war in Gaza. This marks the sixth day of unrest on the campus. The administration has beefed up security in response, deploying at least an additional 111 safety personnel and doubling the number of campus guards.
The president has addressed the community, asserting the importance of heightened security measures during this critical period. These steps include rigorous ID checks and increased presence of personnel at entry points and the perimeter. The protests sparked a wide reaction, with over 100 students arrested after a recent encampment was dismantled.
The White House and New York Mayor Eric Adams condemned the anti-Semitic undertones of the protests, stressing the importance of peaceful protests and the unacceptability of violence and intimidation. The conflict was triggered by events dating back to the October 7 attacks on Israel, which have fueled divisive sentiments on campus.
Amid these developments, a rabbi affiliated with Columbia University urged Jewish students to stay off campus for their safety.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
