Earlier
Tuesday,
the
president
of
Columbia
University,
Minouche
Shafik,
sent
a
letter
to
the
NYPD
asking
for
assistance
on
campus
saying,
“with
the
utmost
regret,
we
request
the
NYPD’s
help
to
clear
all
individuals
from
Hamilton
Hall
and
all
campus
encampments.”
The
NYPD
began
an
operation
around
9
p.m.
on
the
campus
of
the
Ivy
League
to
do
just
that.
You
can
read
the
full
letter
from
Columbia
University
to
the
NYPD
below:
“April
30,
2024
Michael
Gerber,
Deputy
Commissioner,
Legal
Matters
New
York
City
Police
Department
Dear
Deputy
Commissioner
Gerber,
I
write
with
regard
to
the
unrest
on
Columbia’s
campus.
As
we
have
discussed,
in
the
early
morning
of
April
30,
2024
a
group
of
individuals
entered
Hamilton
Hall
for
the
purpose
of
occupying
the
building.
The
building
was
closed
at
the
time
the
students
entered.
An
individual
hid
in
the
building
until
after
it
closed
and
let
the
other
individuals
in.
There
were
two
security
guards
inside.
We
were
able
to
secure
their
release.
We
believe
that
while
the
group
who
broke
into
the
building
includes
students,
it
is
led
by
individuals
who
are
not
affiliated
with
the
University.
The
individuals
who
have
occupied
Hamilton
Hall
have
vandalized
University
property
and
are
trespassing.
In
addition,
we
have
had
a
continuing
encampment
on
the
West
Lawn
of
the
Morningside
campus
since
Friday,
April
19,
2024.
Last
night
an
additional
encampment
appeared
on
the
Math
Lawn.
After
more
than
a
week
of
discussions
with
representatives
of
the
group
engaged
in
the
West
Lawn
encampment,
we
reached
an
impasse
on
Sunday,
April
28,
2024.
The
group
was
informed
that
they
are
not
permitted
to
occupy
spaces
on
campus,
are
in
violation
of
the
University’s
rules
and
policies
and
must
disperse.
All
University
students
in
the
West
Lawn
encampment
were
informed
Monday
morning
that
they
would
be
suspended
if
they
did
not
disperse
by
2:00pm
Monday
and
that
participation
in
other
campus
encampments
was
prohibited.
At
this
time,
all
participants
in
the
encampments
are
suspended,
not
authorized
to
be
on
University
property
and
are
trespassing.
The
takeover
of
Hamilton
Hall
and
the
continued
encampments
raise
serious
safety
concerns
for
the
individuals
involved
and
the
entire
community.
The
actions
of
these
individuals
are
unfortunately
escalating.
These
activities
have
become
a
magnet
for
protesters
outside
our
gates
which
creates
significant
risk
to
our
campus
and
disrupts
the
ability
of
the
University
to
continue
normal
operations.
The
events
on
campus
last
night
have
left
us
no
choice.
With
the
support
of
the
University’s
Trustees,
I
have
determined
that
the
building
occupation,
the
encampments,
and
related
disruptions
pose
a
clear
and
present
danger
to
persons,
property,
and
the
substantial
functioning
of
the
University
and
require
the
use
of
emergency
authority
to
protect
persons
and
property.
With
the
utmost
regret,
we
request
the
NYPD’s
help
to
clear
all
individuals
from
Hamilton
Hall
and
all
campus
encampments.
As
part
of
this
process,
we
understand
that
the
NYPD
plans
to
use
its
LRAD
technology
to
inform
participants
in
the
encampments
that
they
must
disperse.
In
light
of
the
activities
that
occurred
after
the
events
of
April
17-18,
2024,
we
further
request
that
you
retain
a
presence
on
campus
through
at
least
May
17,
2024
to
maintain
order
and
ensure
encampments
are
not
reestablished.
We
trust
that
you
will
take
care
and
caution
when
removing
any
individual
from
our
campus.
The
safety
and
security
of
our
community
is
our
highest
priority,
especially
for
our
students.
We
appreciate
your
commitment
to
assist
us
in
a
peaceful
and
respectful
manner
at
this
difficult
time.
Columbia
is
committed
to
allowing
members
of
our
community
to
engage
in
political
expression
–
within
established
rules
and
with
respect
for
the
safety
of
all.
The
policies
we
have
in
place
around
demonstrations
are
in
place
to
support
both
the
right
to
expression
and
the
safety
and
functioning
of
our
University.
Thank
you
for
your
assistance
with
this
very
challenging
situation.
Sincerely,
Minouche
Shafik“