Holy shit, NYPD barricaded the doors to the occupied hall and is using a lift to enter the building from upper floors, per Columbia U radio
WHAT THE FUCK
The student reporters keep reporting that the NYPD is making nonsensical demands to “get inside or get off the premises,” despite there not being anywhere to go
There is an unconscious student on the ground in front of the formerly occupied hall, per Columbia U radio; unclear what happened
They also say tear gas was used, unclear whether it was interior, exterior, or both
WKCR reporter is now reading an official Columbia U statement defending the decision to call in riot cops on the basis that they needed to "restore safety and order to our community"
Wow— WCKR points out that the administration has STILL not made ANY communications directly to students about these arrests, and there was no warning of the police invasion
President Shafik describes the protesters as "a clear and present danger to persons, property, and the substantial functioning of the university"
Good fucking lord
The WKCR hosts and reporters are talking about how their staff are starting to "succumb to emotion" and that this is immediately recognizable as a "deeply traumatic" event for the whole campus
Reporters are pointing out that, if there were indeed "outside agitators" in the occupied hall, they must have gotten in during Columbia's total lockdown of campus buildings, which either means the lockdown wasn't even working, or the university is lying
All I can think about is we never would have gotten here if the University President just let them stay on the lawn instead of calling the cops on them a week ago to appease congressional republicans. Like no matter your stance if you have any investment in the University demand a new President.
If/When Columbia U burns to the ground, it'll be entirely the fault of Shafik, University Admin, Eric Adams, & the NYPD.
I hope their enrollment is fucking nil next semester. Personally, I believe they deserve far far worse.
