Columbia and Barnard Students Arrested After Library Occupation Over Disciplinary Actions

Nine individuals, including several Columbia University students, were arrested following a protest at Barnard College's Milstein Library that coincided with a bomb threat.

Nine protesters, including four Columbia University students, were arrested after occupying Barnard College’s Milstein Library and refusing to evacuate despite a reported bomb threat.
The protestors, led by student groups Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), disseminated pro-Hamas propaganda and demanded the reversal of expulsions for prior anti-Israel demonstrations.
Barnard's administration stated that the NYPD was called to ensure safety due to the bomb threat, not the library occupation, and emphasized its commitment to campus security.
The protest follows ongoing scrutiny of Columbia University’s handling of anti-Semitic incidents, with federal reviews of its policies and potential visits by a Trump administration anti-Semitism task force in the near future.
The arrested students face charges including disorderly conduct, trespassing, and obstructing governmental administration, as Columbia and Barnard review potential disciplinary actions.