Earlier Tuesday, the president of Columbia University, Minouche Shafik, sent a letter to the NYPD asking for assistance on campus saying, "with the utmost regret, we request the NYPD’s help to clear all individuals from Hamilton Hall and all campus encampments." The NYPD began an operation around 9 p.m. on the campus of the Ivy League to do just that.
You can read the full letter from Columbia University to the NYPD below:
"April 30, 2024
Michael Gerber, Deputy Commissioner, Legal Matters
New York City Police Department
Dear Deputy Commissioner Gerber,
I write with regard to the unrest on Columbia’s campus.
Get Tri-state area news and weather forecasts to your inbox. Sign up for NBC New York newsletters.
As we have discussed, in the early morning of April 30, 2024 a group of individuals entered Hamilton
Hall for the purpose of occupying the building. The building was closed at the time the students
entered. An individual hid in the building until after it closed and let the other individuals in. There
were two security guards inside. We were able to secure their release. We believe that while the group
who broke into the building includes students, it is led by individuals who are not affiliated with the
University. The individuals who have occupied Hamilton Hall have vandalized University property
and are trespassing.
Local
In addition, we have had a continuing encampment on the West Lawn of the Morningside campus
since Friday, April 19, 2024. Last night an additional encampment appeared on the Math Lawn.
After more than a week of discussions with representatives of the group engaged in the West Lawn
encampment, we reached an impasse on Sunday, April 28, 2024. The group was informed that they are
not permitted to occupy spaces on campus, are in violation of the University’s rules and policies and
must disperse. All University students in the West Lawn encampment were informed Monday
morning that they would be suspended if they did not disperse by 2:00pm Monday and that
participation in other campus encampments was prohibited. At this time, all participants in the
encampments are suspended, not authorized to be on University property and are trespassing.
The takeover of Hamilton Hall and the continued encampments raise serious safety concerns for the
individuals involved and the entire community. The actions of these individuals are unfortunately
escalating. These activities have become a magnet for protesters outside our gates which creates
significant risk to our campus and disrupts the ability of the University to continue normal operations.
The events on campus last night have left us no choice. With the support of the University’s Trustees, I
have determined that the building occupation, the encampments, and related disruptions pose a clear
and present danger to persons, property, and the substantial functioning of the University and require
the use of emergency authority to protect persons and property.
With the utmost regret, we request the NYPD’s help to clear all individuals from Hamilton Hall and all
campus encampments. As part of this process, we understand that the NYPD plans to use its LRAD
technology to inform participants in the encampments that they must disperse.
In light of the activities that occurred after the events of April 17-18, 2024, we further request that you
retain a presence on campus through at least May 17, 2024 to maintain order and ensure encampments
are not reestablished.
We trust that you will take care and caution when removing any individual from our campus. The
safety and security of our community is our highest priority, especially for our students. We appreciate
your commitment to assist us in a peaceful and respectful manner at this difficult time.
Columbia is committed to allowing members of our community to engage in political expression –
within established rules and with respect for the safety of all. The policies we have in place around
demonstrations are in place to support both the right to expression and the safety and functioning of
our University.
Thank you for your assistance with this very challenging situation.
Sincerely,
Minouche Shafik"
