As anti-Israel protests spread across college campuses across the U.S., controversy over overreaction was raised after the police opened fire during the crackdown on Columbia University. Concerns are rising as it has been confirmed that he is an outsider.
New York City and the New York Police Department (NYPD) announced on the 2nd that of the 282 people arrested at the two universities’ protest sites, 134, or 48%, were outsiders unrelated to the schools, not students, professors, or staff of the two universities.
In the case of Columbia University, 112 people were arrested, and 32 (29%) were outsiders. The arrest charges for those announced by the NYPD included trespassing, vandalism, theft, assault on a police officer, obstruction of government administration such as execution of official duties, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct (obstructing vehicular and pedestrian traffic).
Mayor Eric Adams said, “As anti-Israel protests on campus intensify, it has been confirmed that a significant number of outsiders unrelated to the school participated in the Columbia University and CUNY protests,” adding, “Some of these people are teaching illegal response techniques to students and inciting violent protests.” It appears to be long. “New York City will not tolerate any hateful or violent protests,” he emphasized. NYPD Director Caban also said, “Through various testimonies and evidence collected, it is confirmed that outsiders unrelated to the school participated in the protest and professionally incited the students.” He added, “The NYPD puts public safety first and ensures the safety of the school, students, and citizens.” “I will focus on protecting it,” he added.
Meanwhile, right after the Columbia University and CUNY protesters dispersed on the 30th of last month, Mayor Eric Adams said, “The NYPD arrested and dispersed the protesters in an orderly manner,” but controversy over overreaction arose as it was belatedly confirmed that police had fired on protesters at Columbia University.
The mayor’s remarks came under fire on the 2nd when the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office confirmed the police shooting. In relation to this, the NYPD released a statement saying that at the time, a police officer was approaching the barricade on the first floor of Hamilton Hall when he used a flashlight attached to his gun. He explained that he accidentally shot the gun while trying to use it. It was around 9:38 p.m., about 10 minutes after the police entered Hamilton Hall. The police explained that there were other police officers around, but there were no students. The bullet was confirmed to have hit a picture frame on the wall several feet away.
The shooting scene was captured on the police officer’s body camera, and the data has reportedly been handed over to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.