In a daring escalation of campus activism, Columbia University students have seized Hamilton Hall, intensifying their protest against the university’s financial ties with Israel. This dramatic move came after the university administration warned that students refusing to dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment would face suspension.

According to sources, including an Instagram post by student groups, the protestors are determined to remain inside the building until their demands for divestment, financial transparency, and amnesty are met. The takeover, which the students have symbolically renamed “Hind Hall” in honor of Hind Rajab—a 6-year-old victim of the Gaza conflict—represents what they call the “next generation” of Columbia student movements.

A video shared by the protestors captures rows of students using barricades to block access, declaring the building an autonomous zone. Reports from the Columbia Spectator suggest that dozens of students are currently inside the hall, with the exact number remaining uncertain.

Hamilton Hall, a 118-year-old building with a rich history of student activism, has once again become a focal point for protest. The hall was previously seized during significant campus demonstrations in 1968, 1985, and 1996—events that Columbia has both repressed and later celebrated.

The university administration has not yet responded to the latest developments. However, the Biden White House has publicly condemned the takeover. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby criticized the action during a press briefing, stating, “The president believes that forcibly taking over a building on campus is absolutely the wrong approach. That is not an example of peaceful protest.”

Kirby also emphasized, “Hate speech and hate symbols have no place in this country,” underscoring the administration’s stance against the method of protest employed by the students.

This bold move by Columbia students highlights a significant shift in student activism, mirroring broader societal tensions regarding international conflicts and university investments. The situation at Columbia could set a precedent for other universities dealing with similar divestment and transparency demands from their student bodies.

As this situation develops, it will be critical to monitor how Columbia University addresses the demands of the protestors and whether this will lead to a broader movement across other campuses. The Hamilton Hall takeover not only challenges the university’s policies but also tests the limits of student activism in achieving social and political change.

  campus unrest, Columbia divestment from Israel, Columbia University protests, Hamilton Hall takeover, pro-Palestinian demonstration, student activism