Columbia University Encampment Reported to Recommence
The protest encampment at Columbia University, which caused nationwide controversy for being a disruption to campus life and operations, is reportedly set to resume, according to NBC News reports that captured the intentions of a group conspiring to resume the protests. The group of protesters revealed their plans during a meeting in Brooklyn, New York, several miles away from the Columbia campus.
The first of these encampments was to begin Thursday, but ultimately did not materialize. Another is allegedly set to begin Friday. It remains unclear whether that encampment will proceed, given Thursday’s no-show.
These potential encampments come in the aftermath of the White House’s crackdown on university protests over the Israel-Hamas conflict that began in 2023. Protesters at Columbia University–including students and faculty members–held a large and disruptive encampment from April to June 2024. The White House threatened a withdrawal federal funding–amounting to roughly $400 million–if Columbia does not comply with certain demands aimed at curbing future protests and holding participants accountable. The university is currently in the process of adhering to those requirements.
According to NBC News, over 100 people were involved in the gathering, all of whom wore masks to conceal their identities. A source told NBC that it was unclear whether all attendees were Columbia students.
The organizers used “Signal usernames” and other code names to refer to themselves. Some of these aliases included the Pokémon character “Squirtle,” and “Butterfly.” Instead of using the term “encampment,” the protesters referred to the event as a “circus.”
Upon learning these reports of a future encampment, a Columbia spokesperson stated:
“Our focus is on protecting the safety of our community and ensuring that the University is able to proceed normally with all academic activities. We are closely monitoring, as always, for any disruptions, and campus activities are currently proceeding as usual.”
Columbia’s Public Safety division also issued a message to university members, stating that “[i]ndividuals who refuse to disperse will be identified” and may face sanctions.
“When we take over the lawn, our goal is to unify the space and make it our own,” one of the organizers said in the recording.
