During the campus turmoil, police arrest Columbia students and clear an occupied building.

Dozens of helmeted police surrounded Columbia University's New York City campus to evict and imprison pro-Palestinian student protesters occupying a building. 

Police broke into Hamilton Hall, handcuffed students protesting Israel's Gaza war, and led them out of the school, as university administrators attempted to prevent pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campuses.

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik criticized the New York Police Department for allowing unaffiliated individuals to occupy Hamilton Hall and campus encampments.

She requested police presence until May 17 to prevent reestablishment. Demonstrators attacked Shafik's comments, leading to hundreds of arrests during the week-long protests.

However, the demonstrations on US college campuses have led to the detention of hundreds of students and activists, marking the most widespread disturbance since the Vietnam War protests.

President Biden denounces the seizure of Hamilton Hall as a "violent protest.

By: Radebe Khumbuzile