• Pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied Columbia University's Butler Library, demanding change from the university regarding its ties to Israel.
• At least 80 protesters were arrested after clashing with security; two public safety officers were injured during the protests.
• The Trump administration has criticized the university for allowing such protests, threatening financial repercussions.
• The protest coincided with ongoing scrutiny from federal authorities regarding the university's handling of campus protests.
• The university's administration condemned the disruption during a critical exam period for students.

On May 7, 2025, a significant protest erupted at Columbia University when pro-Palestinian demonstrators from the group Columbia University Apartheid Divest occupied the Butler Library. The protesters entered the library around 3 PM, hanging banners and chanting slogans, indicating their opposition to the university's financial ties to Israel, which they described as "imperialist violence." The group's actions were described as a revival of the protests from the previous spring, which had garnered substantial media attention, according to The New York Times.

The demonstration quickly escalated, leading to a clash with campus security as they attempted to remove the identifying individuals and restore order. Public safety officers, facing growing resistance, used measures to secure the building, ultimately requesting support from the New York Police Department (NYPD). This request came after demonstrators reportedly attempted to force their way in and caused injuries to two security personnel during what Columbia's president termed a "crowd surge," according to CBS News and India Times.

By evening, videos showed the NYPD entering the library as tensions remained high. Many protesters were seen wearing masks, defying earlier bans communicated by the university under federal directives, including orders from the Trump administration against face coverings at protests. Reports found that at least 80 individuals were arrested after refusing to comply with requests to leave the premises, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The disruptions coincided with the university's crucial exam period, prompting university officials to condemn the actions as unacceptable. Claire Shipman, the university president, stated the ongoing protest violated campus rules and disrupted academic activities at a critical time, evidenced by ejections of students who were simply studying. The atmosphere was further complicated by the ongoing scrutiny from the federal government towards the university regarding its domestic and international policies, as noted by The Hill and Anadolu Agency.

Students involved have expressed their commitment to continue protesting until their demands for divestment from companies supporting Israel are met. Their statement, emphasizing "repression breeds resistance," reflects the ongoing tensions within university environments across the country, especially in light of recent federal actions against pro-Palestinian groups, according to India Times and The Hill.