NYC mayor on Columbia University building occupation: 'This must end now'
New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged protesters at Columbia University to "walk away" after dozens of demonstrators stormed the campus' Hamilton Hall in what he called a "violent spectacle that serves no purpose."
Adams said the peaceful demonstrations were being co-opted by "professional outside agitators" seeking to "create discord and divisiveness."
"That is why I'm urging every student, every protester to walk away from this situation now. Continue your advocacy through other means," Adams said at a press briefing Tuesday evening. "We will always protect the right to protest, but we must balance that right with the right to keep students in school and our city safe."
"We cannot wait till this situation becomes even more serious. This must end now," he added.
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Chief Edward Caban reiterated that protesters who are not Columbia students are working to escalate the situation and said the New York City Police Department is ready to assist the university as needed.
"We have seen the tactics changing in a way that's endangering public safety," he said.
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The NYPD showed footage of what Deputy Commissioner for Intel Rebecca Weiner said showed outside actors making barriers inside Hamilton Hall and "escalating" tactics such as scaling buildings and breaking windows. Cameras in the building have also been destroyed, Weiner said.
Individuals who occupied Hamilton Hall could face charges including burglary in the third degree, trespass and criminal mischief, police said.
A Columbia University spokesperson said Tuesday evening that dozens of protesters were in Hamilton Hall.