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Pro-Palestinian protesters occupy Columbia University library


Masked pro-Palestinian protesters have occupied part of the main library at Columbia University, with authorities asking the New York police for assistance.

Two university security officers were injured when protesters forced their way into Butler Library on Wednesday, according to a statement from University President Claire Shipman, who called their actions "outrageous".

She said that many protesters are not students, and that those who remain in the library are being forced to show ID to leave.

"At the direct request of Columbia University, the NYPD is responding to an ongoing situation on campus where individuals have occupied a library and are trespassing," the NYPD posted on X.

Video posted on social media showed chanting protesters entering the library, many wearing keffiyeh headscarves and masks, defying a ban imposed by the Trump administration.

Some protesters were seen vandalising book shelves by writing "free Palestine".

At least three people were seen being taken into custody, according to CBS, the BBC's US partner.

"While this is isolated to one room in the library, it is completely unacceptable that some individuals are choosing to disrupt academic activities as our students are studying and preparing for final exams," the university president said.

Mrs Shipman, who took over the role in March after the previous president resigned, asked students to stay away from the library.

"We will not tolerate hate or violence in any form in our city," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a post on X.

Columbia has drawn ire from US President Donald Trump, who claims many universities have tolerated antisemitism and harassment of Jewish students.

Trump has already threatened to withhold some $400m (£309m) in federal funding for Columbia, as his administration continues to target those involved in previous campus protests with deportation.

In March, Columbia agreed to several demands from the Trump administration, including a ban on face masks at protests and a change in oversight of some academic programmes, after the administration said it planned to withhold millions in federal funds.

It is unclear whether the funds will be reinstated, though a lawsuit was filed by some of the faculty members over the cuts.

The New York college was the epicentre of pro-Palestinian protests against the war in Gaza and US support for Israel on college campuses last year.

On Tuesday, Trump also terminated $2.2 billion in taxpayer funds to Harvard University after ordering a review of its federal financing.

The Trump administration has warned 60 universities that funding may be cancelled if allegations of antisemitism on campuses are not addressed.

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