Protests Continue at Columbia University Campus

NEW YORK (NEWSnet/AP) – Protests continued during the weekend at Columbia University in New York, where a crowd of people has rallied in support of student protesters.

Many of the protesters in and near campus were voicing concerns over Israel’s continuing war against Hamas in the Gaza region, some while shouting anti-Israel and anti-police chants.

More than 100 students were arrested Thursday as the university cracked down on tents set up on the main campus lawn. There were academic suspensions among students both at Columbia and its sister college, Barnard.

University President Minouche Shafik has placed all Monday classes on remote status, and encouraged commuter students to stay home rather than come to the campus. Faculty and staff who can work remotely also were to do so.

The efforts were to "deescalate the rancor and give us all a chance to consider next steps," Shafik said.

Earlier, a rabbi linked to the Ivy League school had urged Jewish students to stay home.

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