Protests Erupt Again at Barnard College Amid Anti-Israel Tensions

NEW YORK — Protests erupted anew at Barnard College on Thursday as tensions continued to rise over ongoing anti-Israel demonstrations on campus. More than 50 demonstrators had taken over a building the previous day, prompting police intervention and several arrests.

Approximately 100 anti-Israel protesters gathered outside Barnard, wearing masks and keffiyehs as they chanted, “Free Palestine.” The protests escalated as demonstrators marched toward CUNY’s City College campus, where New York Governor Kathy Hochul was scheduled to appear. Hochul’s event was ultimately canceled due to safety concerns related to the anticipated protest.

As issues escalated, protesters were heard chanting various criticisms of Hochul, including exclamations such as “NYPD KKK,” while attempting to breach police barricades. The atmosphere became chaotic as tensions flared between demonstrators and law enforcement.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., condemned the protests, stating on X, “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Pro-Hamas mobs have NO place on our college campuses. Barnard College & Columbia University must put an end to the antisemitic chaos on campus.”

Robin Levine, Barnard’s vice president for strategic communications, confirmed that a faculty member sustained injuries during Wednesday’s protest and required hospital treatment, although specific details were not disclosed. In an earlier statement, Levine raised concerns about protesters encouraging others to enter the campus without identification, indicating a blatant disregard for community safety.

Levine warned students that if they did not clear the premises by 9:30 p.m. that evening, the administration would take “additional, necessary measures to protect our campus.” Reports indicate that the protesting group began to disperse around 11 p.m. on Wednesday.

Earlier this year, Columbia University was embroiled in controversy following the expulsion of two students who interrupted a classroom session with flyers featuring hateful messages. In response, Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine shared videos on X showing masked students beating drums and chanting slogans in support of their movement.

The group also issued a list of demands, including an immediate reversal of the two students’ expulsions and “amnesty for all students disciplined for protest actions.” The protesters called for a public meeting with Dean Leslie Grinage and President Laura Rosenbury and demanded transparency in Barnard’s disciplinary processes, stating, “WE WILL NOT STOP UNTIL OUR DEMANDS ARE MET. FREE PALESTINE.”

These protests reflect a growing schism on American college campuses regarding the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, with students pledging to continue disrupting campus activities until their demands are addressed.

Fox News Digital’s Christina Shaw contributed to this report.