Columbia University pro-Palestinian encampments spread to NYU, New School; arrests at Yale

A rep for NYU said the demonstration began without notice to the university.

“We are addressing this issue with urgency,” spokesman John Beckman said in a statement.

“Access to the plaza has been closed,” he continued. “Classes are carrying on. The University is committed to minimizing disruption to its academic mission; preventing escalation and violence; and precluding hate speech, harassment, or threats directed at any member of the NYU community.”

A half mile away, about a dozen students at The New School on Sunday erected a green-white-and-blue encampment inside the university center building, writing on the tents with red marker: “liberated zone,” “free Palestine,” and “divest from death.”

The demonstration comes after the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine was put on probation last Friday through the next school year, prohibiting the student group from hosting public events or using school resources, the group wrote on social media.

“We will remain until ALL our demands are met,” the student group vowed.

The New School, in a message to students on Sunday, said the demonstration was unauthorized but college officials were in communication with protesters to “resolve the situation.”

“Because of the successful dialogue between the President and the students, there will be no charges for the demonstration,” the memo added.

Students protesters on Monday were set to meet with a college operations official to discuss divestment from Israel and eyeing a meeting with the Board of Trustees’ Investment Committee pushing them for greater transparency. The New School said it would also launch an investment advisory committee with elected student representatives.

“During this especially charged time in our society,” the email continued, “the university is strongly committed to supporting the rights of members of our community to peacefully protest and express themselves, and to do so in accordance with the university’s codes of conduct.”

In Boston, administrators at Harvard beat students to the spot and closed Harvard Yard ahead of anticipated pro-Palestine protests, while classes continued as usual.

“Structures, including tents and tables, are not permitted in the Yard without prior permission,” read a sign on a gate, which was photographed by the Harvard Crimson.