New York police intervened after pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied the university’s main library Wednesday evening.

As classes at Columbia University resumed Monday, dozens of students and faculty protested sweeping policy changes demanded by the Trump administration and adopted by school leaders over spring break.

The Education Department said Columbia University no longer appeared to meet accreditation standards after concluding that the school is in violation of anti-discrimination laws, the latest effort by the Trump administration to target elite schools over their handling of pro-Palestinian protests.

By Dr. Evelyn Uddin-khan When Columbia University succumbed to political pressure and betrayed its students to law enforcement, many former students were shocked and bewildered at this selling of its students for money.

The rallies were among hundreds of "No Kings" protests held throughout the United States, timed to coincide with a military parade celebrating the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army in Washington, D.C. Saturday was also Trump's 79th birthday.

Celeste Gamble was in Columbia University’s Butler Library, studying for her final exams, when about a hundred student protesters launched an occupation of the reading room. It was the latest eruption of ongoing pro-Palestine protests on campus.

Columbia students rally for peer Mahmoud Khalil, detained by ICE over pro-Palestinian activism, at the 2025 commencement ceremony.

The AAUP defends the right to free speech, expression of political convictions, and peaceful protest on university campuses. Access resources and information on this topic.

In text messages, the 20-year-old described himself as a “Jew hater,” and called Jewish people “worthless,” court documents revealed.