WATCH: A day before finals, Pro-Palestinian rioters deface Columbia Library, NYPD furious

Dozens of pro-Palestinian students at Columbia University in New York were arrested after seizing control of the Butler Library on campus, vandalizing equipment, and spray-painting anti-Israel graffiti yesterday (Wednesday). U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the visa status of the involved students would be reviewed, labeling them “pro-Hamas thugs” who are “no longer welcome in our great nation.”

According to reports, approximately 100 students participated in the overnight riot, which disrupted students preparing for final exams. The protesters barricaded doors, damaged property, and clashed with university public safety officers, with some alleging the presence of faculty, including Professor Gil Zussman, who has been linked to controversial anti-Palestinian rhetoric.

The university administration demanded the protesters vacate the library, and when they refused, the New York Police Department was called, resulting in the arrest of several dozen demonstrators. Hundreds later marched through the streets, chanting against Israel and Columbia’s leadership.

Acting President Claire Shipman issued a statement condemning the disruption, emphasizing the university’s commitment to maintaining a safe academic environment. The incident follows a pattern of escalating tensions at Columbia, which has faced scrutiny for its handling of pro-Palestinian activism. In March 2025, Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia graduate student and green card holder, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for his role in earlier protests, prompting protests and debates over free speech.

Rubio’s remarks on X linked the rioters to Hamas, echoing his earlier statements about deporting supporters of the group. The Trump administration has intensified its crackdown on campus activism, recently cutting $400 million in federal grants to Columbia for allegedly failing to address antisemitism.

Last month, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released a report assigning a “passing” grade to Columbia but gave failing grades to 14 other universities, including MIT and Harvard, for their handling of antisemitism. The ADL praised the Trump administration’s efforts to counter campus antisemitism but stressed that any visa revocations must align with due process. However, critics, including progressive Jewish groups, argue that such actions risk stifling free speech and targeting Palestinian activists unfairly.