Columbia University has suspended over 65 students for participating in a major pro-Palestinian protest that shut down the school’s iconic Butler Library earlier this week. The university took the disciplinary action on Friday, issuing interim suspensions that will prevent the students from sitting for final exams or accessing campus buildings—except for their dormitories.
According to a university official, another 33 individuals—comprising students from other colleges and alumni—have also been banned from entering Columbia’s campus for their involvement in the protest.
The protest, which took place on Wednesday, was one of the largest pro-Palestinian demonstrations on Columbia’s campus since 2024. Students occupied a section of Butler Library, prompting university officials to call in the New York Police Department to disperse the crowd and regain control of the building.
“When university policies are knowingly broken, especially in ways that disrupt our academic community, there are serious consequences,” said a Columbia official.
The protest erupted while negotiations were ongoing between Columbia’s board of trustees and the Trump administration. Earlier in March, the administration announced the cancellation of hundreds of millions of dollars in research grants to the university due to past pro-Palestinian demonstrations. This move has placed Columbia in a politically charged spotlight and heightened tensions on campus.
Wednesday’s protest was organized by student activists who continue to demand that the university divest its $14.8 billion endowment from companies linked to the production of weapons and firms supporting Israel’s military operations in Palestinian territories. These demands have been a central theme of student-led campaigns over the past year.
So far, protest organizers have not released a statement in response to the recent wave of suspensions.
Columbia’s response has reignited debates about free speech, student activism, and the role of universities in global conflicts. While the administration insists it is protecting the learning environment and enforcing rules, critics argue the school is stifling dissent and yielding to political pressure.
This latest development is likely to fuel further protests and intensify scrutiny on how institutions of higher learning handle politically sensitive issues on campus.
