Katya Yindra
On March 7, the Trump administration announced the immediate cancellation of $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University. Less than a week later, on March 13, Columbia escalated its crackdown on student activism, issuing sweeping sanctions against 22 students allegedly involved in the Gaza Solidarity Encampment and the occupation of Hamilton Hall. The penalties include suspensions, expulsions, and degree revocations. So far, there have been nine expulsions across Barnard and Columbia.
That same day, the Trump administration sent a letter to Columbia outlining nine demands, warning that failure to comply would adversely impact its “financial relationship with the United States government.” The demands included “meaningful” discipline of the encampment and occupation—defined as expulsion or multi-year suspension—along with a campus-wide mask ban, “time, place, and manner rules,” and the implementation of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism—which includes the criticism of Israel. Other demands called for the university to “empower internal law enforcement,” reform its admissions policies, and place the Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies (MESAAS) department under “academic receivership” for at least five years. Columbia has until March 20 to comply or risk further financial penalties.
The walls of Columbia President Katrina Armstrong’s campus mansion were found painted shortly afterward with a message saying “FREE THEM ALL!” as well as what appears to be several upside down red triangles, a symbol associated with the Palestinian armed resistance.
The next day, Palestine solidarity organizations organized a walkout and rally, condemning the university’s role in Mahmoud Khalil’s detention and the mass disciplinary actions. Hundreds of protesters rallied outside Columbia’s gates, demanding Khalil’s release and the reinstatement of all students.
“It’s personal. I’m a Barnard alum and a naturalized citizen. The bottom line is no one is safe. They’re making an example of him,” one protester told The Worker.
“I’m a professor, and I’m horrified by the attacks on academic freedoms. We have to fight back,” added another.
After many rounds of spirited chanting, Muslim attendants gathered for afternoon prayer. Later, the group marched uptown to join the Student Workers of Columbia (UAW Local 2710) at their demonstration ahead of a scheduled bargaining session. However, just two hours before negotiations were set to begin, Columbia abruptly canceled the meeting—a move that came one day after the university expelled union president Grant Miner for alleged pro-Palestine activism.
During these actions, news broke from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem of a Columbia doctoral candidate’s visa being revoked for alleged involvement in “activities supporting Hammas (sic).” The same press release confirmed that ICE had arrested Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian student from the West Bank, for allegedly overstaying her F-1 visa. The statement accused Kordia of being arrested for participating in “pro-Hamas protests” at Columbia. The Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche also announced on Friday that the Department of Justice is investigating whether pro-Palestine activists at Columbia violated federal anti-terrorism laws.
The US House Committee on Education and Workforce, which has accused Columbia of failing to combat “pervasive antisemitism” on campus, has pressured the university to release records from 11 protests, including the April occupation of Hamilton Hall. Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia graduate, is suing to block their request, arguing that is violates the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Photo: Rally on Friday demanding Khalil’s release and against university sanctions targeting students for their alleged pro-Palestine activism.
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