Hard Wire

Members Of Congress React To Protests

3.4k Views

Protests erupted at Columbia University over the weekend and have escalated in intensity over the past few days, with mounting calls for President Nemat “Minouche” Shafik to resign. The Columbia graduate school classes for the semester ended on Monday, but the anti-Israel protests have continued. The protests culminated on Monday with protesters taking over Hamilton Hall on the university’s Morningside Campus.

The protesters, enraged over the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas, have been demanding that the university divest from Israel. However, the situation quickly turned violent when some protesters broke into Hamilton Hall and barricaded themselves inside. The situation became even more chaotic on Tuesday morning as more protesters gathered outside the building and broke windows to gain entry. According to school officials, they had been negotiating with the Gaza Solidarity Encampment to disband, but their efforts have so far been unsuccessful.

School administrators have now advised anyone who does not have to be on campus to avoid it, and they have also stated that access to campus and other campus buildings may be restricted. This has caused disruption and concern for students, staff, and faculty who have essential work or classes on campus. In light of these developments, some critics have argued that President Shafik has failed in her duties to maintain order on campus and provide a safe learning environment for all students. They believe that she should step down from her position as a result of this failure.

According to Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, who represents New York’s 3rd District, “Antisemitic agitators have taken hammers to Columbia and have now occupied a main building. These terror sympathizers will continue to destroy Columbia until the leadership steps up. Shafik is completely out of her depth and should resign immediately.” Similarly, House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana also believes that the ongoing situation is a display of terrorism and that President Shafik should resign immediately.

Shafik has also received calls for her resignation from other high-profile political figures. Republican Senator Tim Scott tweeted, “This is what happens when you refuse to stand up to bullies and let mob rule take over. As I’ve said before, President Shafik needs to resign immediately!” The Republican Party’s official Twitter account retweeted this call for Shafik’s resignation. Conservative organization Accuracy In Media’s President Adam Guillette also believes that Shafik has lost control of the situation and that she should resign.

The situation at Columbia University highlights the increasing divide between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel factions on college campuses. Many pro-Palestine voices have been calling for divestment from Israel, while pro-Israel groups have condemned these calls as anti-Semitic. This situation has created a tense atmosphere on campus, leading to the recent protests and subsequent occupation of Hamilton Hall.

At this time, it is unclear how long the protests will continue and whether President Shafik will indeed step down from her position. Currently, there have been no statements from Shafik or the university addressing the protests or calling for her resignation. Some critics believe that her lack of response to the situation is a sign of her inability to handle this crisis, further fueling their calls for her resignation.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the university and President Shafik will address the ongoing protests. The safety and well-being of all students, staff, and faculty should be of utmost importance, and it is crucial for all parties involved to work towards a peaceful resolution.

Previous Congressional Members Speak With Protestors
Next Graham Reveals Phone May Have Been Hacked