Columbia Student Outraged by Anti-Israel Takeover Under Police Watch

Columbia University student Rory Wilson is outraged that a group of anti-Israel protesters were able to take over Hamilton Hall overnight on Monday under the watch of campus police. Wilson, who has some Jewish lineage and Israeli relatives, was one of several students trying to protect university property from an illegal break-in by standing in front of the building’s doors while being pushed against by the angry mob. One friend was dragged away by protesters before they eventually smashed through windows and occupied Hamilton Hall for the night. Wilson believes that campus police failed to respond after he called them multiple times, leading him to suspect people dressed in black were following him back to his dorm. The 22-year-old history senior also criticized university administrators for sending an email on Tuesday morning claiming they care about student safety but failing to take action against the violent protesters when it mattered most. Wilson’s friend, Charles Beck, was reportedly attacked by a masked man dressed in all black who called him a “Zionist” and hurled hateful rhetoric at students passing by earlier that day on campus. A sign outside Hamilton Hall read ‘Hinds Hall’, referring to the death of 6-year-old Hind Rajab during Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza, according to an X statement allegedly from protesters involved in Monday night’s takeover at Columbia University. Wilson believes that university officials must stop talking and start taking action against violent agitators who have been physically assaulting students on campus for exercising their legitimate rights as members of the community while they peacefully demonstrate public areas, stating “When push comes to shove when there’s an actual dangerous situation [the University] do nothing.”