Anti-Israel Protesters Barricade Columbia University Building, Hold Staff Hostage

A staff member at Columbia University alleged being held captive by anti-Israel protesters following an invasion and barricading of Hamilton Hall, an academic building used by the dean. The disruption occurred around 12:30 a.m., after activists stormed their encampment on campus and forced entry into the facility while smashing windows, blocking doors with furniture, and covering them in cloths to prevent visibility from outside. This escalation followed Columbia University’s decision earlier that day to suspend students who failed to leave the camping area by 2 p.m.
Outside Hamilton Hall, a group of anti-Israel demonstrators formed a human barricade while wearing masks and renaming it “Hind’s Hall” in honor of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl who died during Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The protesters are demanding that Columbia University divest from Israeli institutions, disclose more information about the organizations they support financially and offer complete forgiveness for any student participating in disruptive activities since early April.
The staff member claimed to have been held hostage by the demonstrators after being trapped inside Hamilton Hall when it was seized. The worker reportedly left at around 12:40 a.m., according to Columbia Spectator, the university’s official newspaper.
More than one hundred tents remain on campus as part of this weeks-long protest that began over Israel’s recent military operations in Gaza and its perceived violation of Palestinian human rights.