Columbia’s Hamilton Hall After Takeover: A Glimpse of ‘Liberation Education’ and ‘Student Intifada

MANHATTAN—The student takeover of Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall continued into Tuesday afternoon, hours after protesters stormed the building and barricaded its entrance.

While the exact number of students inside is unknown, Columbia communications head Ben Chang said “dozens” are occupying the hall, while a student protest leader put the number at 60 during a Tuesday afternoon press conference.

Those inside Hamilton Hall spent time Tuesday hanging new banners from the building’s windows, which read “Liberation Education” and “Student Intifada.” At one point in the afternoon, an occupant accessed the building’s roof and waved a Palestinian flag.

New ‘Student Intifada” banner out of Hamilton. pic.twitter.com/VQmwgH0445

— Jessica Costescu (@JessicaCostescu) April 30, 2024

Outside of the hall, student protesters used a pulley system to send supplies into the building through a window. They also set up a miniature encampment outside of the building’s steps. Tables, chairs, and metal barriers used to block the building’s entrances remained in place. In front of those barriers, masked guards kept watch, using keffiyehs and umbrellas to shield their faces. Not far away, at the original encampment erected on the school’s lawn, protesters huddled to discuss strategy. They also congregated at the campus gates, chanting, “There is only one solution, intifada revolution.”

New mini-encampment in front of Hamilton pic.twitter.com/yUMYDpUspS

— Jessica Costescu (@JessicaCostescu) April 30, 2024

Protestors have thrown chairs out the windows of Hamilton. pic.twitter.com/SglasjZ1y1

— Jessica Costescu (@JessicaCostescu) April 30, 2024

Protestors blocking the second entrance of Hamilton Hall.

They are very camera shy. pic.twitter.com/xuyre1UmfC

— Jessica Costescu (@JessicaCostescu) April 30, 2024

Meeting at the original encampment. pic.twitter.com/lFcA15P3PV

— Jessica Costescu (@JessicaCostescu) April 30, 2024

‘There is only one solution. Intifada revolution.” pic.twitter.com/iJqTNkngih

— Jessica Costescu (@JessicaCostescu) April 30, 2024

It’s unclear what Columbia president Minouche Shafik plans to do to end the occupation. On Monday, the school began suspending students who refused to leave the original encampment following a 2 p.m. deadline from Shafik to “voluntarily disperse.” One day later, after the storming of Hamilton Hall, Chang said, “students occupying the building face expulsion.”

Disciplinary proceedings, however, have largely failed to push protesters off campus. Suspended students who are technically not authorized to access campus without prior approval have participated in the protest—and, in some cases, helped lead it.

Students who stormed Hamilton Hall, meanwhile, said they would “not move until Columbia meets every one of our demands.” Hours before the takeover, student leaders held a defiant press conference, during which they mocked Shafik’s deadline and pledged to remain on campus unless removed “by force.”

“We will not be moved unless by force,” they said. “We do not abide by university pressure.”

‘We will not move until Columbia meets every one of our demands.” pic.twitter.com/eUQOqzRoLo

— Jessica Costescu (@JessicaCostescu) April 30, 2024

‘We will not be moved unless by force” pic.twitter.com/NIRigTPZlE

— Jessica Costescu (@JessicaCostescu) April 29, 2024

Still, Shafik has refused to bring New York City police back to campus—including during the overnight takeover of Hamilton Hall.

As the chaos unfolded—some masked individuals used hammers to break doors and windows, while others pushed, grabbed, and accosted those who attempted to impede the takeover—several students called the police. But law enforcement never arrived. After the dust settled, the New York Police Department revealed why: Shafik “did not want the NYPD to enter and make arrests or charge any individuals,” a spokesman told NBC News.

There is absolutely no police anywhere despite several 911 calls from students pic.twitter.com/n57YGNFtGN

— Jessica Costescu (@JessicaCostescu) April 30, 2024

Shafik on Friday said bringing police to campus “at this time would be counterproductive.” Chang reiterated that statement in an email sent to the Washington Free Beacon shortly after Shafik’s Monday 2 p.m. deadline to vacate the encampment passed. He did not respond to a request for comment on whether Shafik’s calculation has changed.

In addition to the student protesters, faculty members flocked to the encampment Monday to help protect those inside. They remained overnight and watched on as students stormed Hamilton Hall. It is unclear whether they will face disciplinary action.

Columbia faculty out in support for violent protesters. pic.twitter.com/W3svXgcuaz

— Jessica Costescu (@JessicaCostescu) April 30, 2024

The Free Beacon was on campus overnight as the Hamilton Hall takeover occurred. By 9 a.m. Tuesday, Columbia officials suspended media access to campus “as a safety measure.”

Hours later, the school announced a limited “press pool” and allowed the Free Beacon to regain campus access. The school’s communications team has not yet decided its press plan for Wednesday, a university spokesman said.