Columbia University: Dozens of Protesters Occupy Building, Over 1,000 Arrested on Campuses Nationwide

Columbia University was the site of a protest by pro-Palestinian students on Tuesday.

Dozens of students had occupied Hamilton Hall, the administration building, since morning.

In response, the New York Police Department was granted permission by Columbia to enter the campus and take action.

Officers approached Hamilton Hall and began implementing this action.

The details of the matter were not publicly disclosed by the law enforcement official who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press.

Students at the Manhattan university set up tents in protest against Israeli military action in Gaza and the school's investment in companies related to the conflict.

Police cleared the encampment on April 18, arresting over 100 students.

Protests have spread to other campuses across the US, with over 1,000 arrests made in the last two weeks in states including Texas, Utah, Virginia, North Carolina, New Mexico, Connecticut, Louisiana, California, and New Jersey.

Some protests resulted in violent clashes between students and police in riot gear.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged Columbia University protesters to end their occupation and continue their advocacy through other means.

The White House also condemned similar protests at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, where 25 people were arrested after officers intervened with batons.

Damages at the northern California campus are estimated to be over $1 million.