Columbia begins suspending Gaza war protesters

What happened

Columbia University said Monday it started suspending students who disregarded orders to leave a pro-Palestinian encampment, potentially barring them from campus buildings and finals and rendering them ineligible to graduate in May. Dozens of students occupied Columbia’s Hamilton Hall early Tuesday. An April 18 crackdown at Columbia fueled similar entrenched protests against Israel’s Gaza war, leading to about 1,000 arrests at 22 universities in 16 states, according to CNN and The Washington Post.

Who said what

With talks at an impasse, Columbia has “begun suspending students as part of this next phase of our efforts to ensure safety on our campus” and curtail the “noisy distraction” as students prepare for exams, university spokesperson Ben Chang said. Columbia’s administration “didn’t even offer us divestment” from Israel, said graduate student Sueda Polat, an encampment organizer. “We will not be moved unless by force.”