Pro-Palestinian Rally Leads to Arrests Outside Columbia University

Red paint was thrown on the Alma Mater statue on the Columbia University campus in New York City on the first day of school, Sept. 3, 2024. Juliette Fairley

It was business as usual on Sept. 3, the first day of school at Columbia University’s campus, but outside the entry gates, a pro-Palestinian rally led to people being taken into police custody.

“Two people were arrested at 1300 hours today,” a New York Police Department (NYPD) spokesperson told The Epoch Times. 

The two arrested were 21-year-old Andrew Timberg, who was charged with attempted obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree and attempted disorderly conduct, and 21-year-old Joshi Priyanka, who was charged with obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree and disorderly conduct, according to the NYPD.

The New York City Chapter of the Palestinian Youth Movement posted a brief video of the incident on Instagram.

“Columbia University administrators have called on the NYPD to violently arrest student picketers on the first day of classes,” the Sept. 3 post stated. 

A Columbia University spokesperson would neither confirm nor deny whether the university had called the police in response to the off-campus rally.

The protest, which ended at 2:30 pm, did not disrupt the campus in the way that a student anti-Gazan war encampment had crippled the Ivy League university from April 17 to June 2.

“The University welcomed new and returning students for a productive first day of classes on Morningside Campus,” a university spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email. “As we begin the new semester, we are focused on our mission of teaching, creating, and advancing knowledge and ensuring a safe, respectful campus environment for our community.”

There was, however, paint thrown on the Alma Mater statue that sits on the steps  leading up to the university library. The splatter of red was quickly washed off.

“I saw it while it was being cleaned,” John Garbi, 22, told The Epoch Times. “If it were permanent and if it were going to damage anything, I would think it’s inappropriate. It’s very effective at conveying a message, especially because you have these guards washing off what’s supposed to represent blood.”

Garbi, a third-year student studying cognitive science and philosophy, is among the new and returning students unfazed by the aggressive pro-Palestinian encampments and protests that Columbia University has become known for. Other U.S. universities followed with rallies of their own for the same cause.

“It’s not affecting my plans and goals,” Garbi said. “I very much do sympathize with what most of the protesters are standing for and trying to communicate. There are some who have definitely taken things too far.”

The lawn is free and clear except for students studying or playing catch at Columbia University in New York City on Sept. 3, 2024. Juliette Fairley

The pro-Palestinian encampment had occupied the lawn in the middle of Columbia’s campus. During that time, problems included vandalism and the occupation of buildings and classrooms. As a result, the main May 15 commencement ceremony for the graduating class was canceled.

The only activities on the lawn on Sept. 3 were students reading or playing catch with a ball. Allied Universal Security Services guards were stationed around the lawn under blue tents. 

“It seems to me a bit ridiculous,” Garbi said about the security guards. “It seems to be sending a message of ‘We’re ready’ and ‘We know you’re coming.’”

Although Siyun Qian, a 22-year-old student from China, heard about the encampment in the spring while attending undergraduate school at Pennsylvania State University, it didn’t stop her from pursuing her graduate studies in entrepreneur risk management at Columbia.

“I have my own ideas, and I like the school,” Qian told The Epoch Times as she walked across the campus. “The protests are very totally fine to me.”   

Siyun Qian is a first-year graduate student at Columbia University in New York City, on Sept. 3, 2024. Juliette Fairley

Neither the New York City Chapter of the Palestinian Youth Movement nor the Columbia University Alumni for Palestine groups responded to requests for comment.

Attorney Daniel Suhr, who has sued a number of student organizations on behalf of five Columbia students, told The Epoch Times that it’s important for the NYPD and Columbia University to ensure that all students’ right to access campus is respected and protected.

“Just like students had a right last semester to attend classes and access campus, so too they have a right to access campus via public sidewalks this fall,” he said.

Student groups and their representatives, such as Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine, Columbia-Barnard Jewish Voice for Peace, Within Our Lifetime, and Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine, are all named as defendants along with the Student Workers Union (SWU) of Columbia, also known as UAW Local 2710, in Suhr’s lawsuit.

The proposed class consists of about 36,000 Columbia University students. A New York state court will now determine whether the case can proceed or lacks merit.