Barnard College descended into chaos on Wednesday as pro-Palestinian protesters staged a sit-in at the Milstein Center for Teaching and Learning, demanding the reinstatement of two students expelled for disrupting a class on modern Israel by distributing antisemitic flyers.
The demonstration began around 1 pm, with protesters occupying the Milstein Center. At 4:14 pm, Barnard’s Vice President for Strategic Communications, Robin Levine, announced a bomb threat at the building, urging immediate evacuation. However, several protesters refused to leave, choosing to continue the sit-in despite the warning, as reported by the Columbia Spectator.
Less than an hour later, New York Police Department (NYPD) officers entered Barnard’s campus, attempting to disperse the crowd. The situation quickly escalated, and chaos erupted as tensions between students and law enforcement flared.
Arrests, Slogans, and Growing Unrest
As police intervened, demonstrators chanted slogans such as “NYPD, KKK, they are all the same” and “No justice, no peace”, as reported by New York Post. Despite multiple warnings, some protesters refused to vacate the premises, leading to nine arrests, according to the Columbia Spectator. NYPD officers eventually cleared the courtyard, though many students continued their demonstration on the campus lawn.
At 7:55 pm, NYPD officials announced that the bomb threat had been investigated and cleared.
SGA Condemns Police Action, Issues Demands
Later that night, Barnard’s Student Government Association (SGA) criticized the NYPD’s use of “disproportionate force” against students engaged in what they described as a nonviolent protest. The SGA issued three demands, as reported by the Columbia Spectator:
- Amnesty for students involved in the sit-in.
- A “good-faith negotiation” between protesters, SGA, and senior staff to address long-standing grievances.
- A restructuring of Barnard’s disciplinary process with complete transparency.
Barnard President Defends Evacuation Order
In response, Barnard President Laura Rosenbury defended the administration’s actions, stating that upon receiving the bomb threat, the university had no choice but to clear the Milstein Center and alert authorities. She added that protesters were immediately informed about the threat, yet many refused to evacuate, as reported by the Columbia Spectator.
The incident marks the latest flashpoint in campus tensions over protests, free speech, and administrative decisions—with no clear resolution in sight.
