Columbia University President Orders Virtual Classes Amid Massive Anti-Israel Protests Take Over University

Monday, April 22, 2024, 8:15 A.M. ET. By Jennifer Hodges: Englebrook Independent News,

MANHATTAN, NY.- Columbia University’s President Doctor Nemat “Minouche” Shafik posted in a statement early Monday morning, that she is “deeply saddened” by certain actions of anti-Israel protesters, who have built an encampment on the campus and have harassed students, faculty, and university staff with anti-Israel and pro-Hamas slogans and chants.

     Shafik wrote, “I am deeply saddened by what is happening on our campus, our bonds as a community have been severely tested in ways that will take a great deal of time and effort to reaffirm. Students across an array of communities have conveyed fears for their safety and we have announced additional actions we are taking to address security concerns. The decibel of our disagreements has only increased in recent days. These tensions have been exploited and amplified by individuals who are not affiliated with Columbia who have come to campus to pursue their own agendas.”

     “We need a reset,” Shafik added. “To deescalate the rancor and give us all a chance to consider next steps, I am announcing that all classes will be held virtually on Monday. Faculty and staff who can work remotely should do so, and essential personnel should report to work according to university policy. Our preference is that students who do not live on campus will not come to campus.”

     Shafik then condemned the “Antisemitic Language” chanted by protesters and the “intimidating and harassing behavior on our campus” She offered to those staging the chaos to “sit down and talk” from those who may differ.

     “There is a terrible conflict raging in the Middle East with devastating human consequences. I understand that many are experiencing deep moral distress and want Columbia to help alleviate this by taking action. We should be having serious conversations about how Columbia can contribute. There will be many views across our diverse community about how best to do this and that is as it should be. But we cannot have one group dictate terms and attempt to disrupt important milestones like graduation to advance their point of view. Let’s sit down and talk and argue and find ways to compromise on solutions,” Shafik posted in her overnight statement.

     Shafik is also hoping that the school will try to bring this crisis to a resolution in the upcoming days.

     Shafik concluded with, “Let’s remind ourselves of our common values of honoring learning, mutual respect, and kindness that have been the bedrock of Columbia. I hope everyone can take a deep breath, show compassion, and work together to rebuild the ties that bind us together.”

     The statement follows after the Orthodox rabbi at Columbia University and Barnard College sent a message to Jewish students encouraging them to leave campus and go home after protesters were caught on camera supporting pro-Hamas terroristic stances and supporting violence against Jewish students.

     Visiting Columbia late last week and on Sunday afternoon, I can only say that what has unfolded on the campus of Columbia University is a scathing indictment of what our higher-learning institutions have become. Listening to the chants of protesters comparing and calling Black Police Officers KKK and Jewish students being called Nazis is repulsive, and is a direct consequence of how far repugnant the teaching standards of our universities have transformed student’s beliefs.

     On Thursday and again yesterday afternoon, I noticed that at least twenty-five percent of the protesters were people who do not attend the university. I noticed that some of the protesters or should I say organized agitators were people whom we encountered during the Black Friday protest down 34 Street in Manhattan, New York.

     Although under The First Amendment of The U.S. Constitution, as Americans you have the right to peaceful protest and to Free Speech. But when protesters align themselves with terrorists screaming “We Are Hamas,” then we need to reevaluate what has become of our nation.

     As Antisemitic Rhetoric ramps up today at Columbia University, Protests are now being staged at Yale University with Police Officers in Riot Gear making arrests.