Masked Protesters Storm Library at Columbia University

Columbia University descended into chaos Wednesday when a mob of masked anti-Israel activists stormed Butler Library, one of the school’s most iconic academic spaces, in what appeared to be a deliberate act of defiance as finals week loomed. The protest disrupted students quietly preparing for exams and escalated tensions at a campus already under federal scrutiny.

Videos flooding social media showed dozens of demonstrators in face coverings and keffiyehs forcibly pushing past security guards to seize control of the building. One overwhelmed guard at the entrance attempted to hold the line but was quickly brushed aside.

Inside, the protesters plastered Palestinian flags on walls and draped large banners declaring the library a “liberated zone.” Another sign honored Bassel al-Araj, a Palestinian militant killed in a 2017 shootout with Israeli forces—though activists misspelled his name. Drums echoed through the marble halls as the group chanted “Free Palestine,” drawing outrage from students and parents alike.

“This isn’t protest. This is an invasion,” said Jonathan Marks, a junior studying economics. “I came here to get an Ivy League education, not to dodge mobs in the library.”

Mayor Eric Adams responded swiftly, calling the protest “completely unacceptable” during an appearance on NBC News. “If your kid is part of this, call them,” Adams said. “This is not activism. This is intimidation inside an academic sanctuary.”

Columbia’s Office of Public Affairs confirmed that campus safety officers responded but were unable to stop the group due to their refusal to identify themselves. Arrests remain possible, officials said, especially under new rules Columbia adopted after mounting pressure from Washington.

Federal Pressure Mounts

This week’s unrest couldn’t come at a worse time for Columbia. The university is locked in tense negotiations with the Trump administration after the Department of Education announced it would revoke more than $400 million in federal grants if Columbia failed to confront antisemitism on campus.

In March, the school caved to several federal demands. It authorized campus security to make arrests, shuffled leadership in controversial academic departments, and banned mask-wearing during disciplinary violations—a rule clearly ignored during Wednesday’s takeover.

A senior source within the Department of Education confirmed that Columbia’s recent handling of the protests will be added to the case file.

“Columbia’s been given every chance to restore order and protect its Jewish students,” the source told this outlet. “If they won’t enforce their own rules, we will enforce ours.”

A University Under Siege

This latest stunt follows months of unrest on Columbia’s campus, where activists established illegal encampments earlier this spring. Tents overtook school grounds, sparking national backlash and fueling concerns that prestigious Ivy League institutions are turning a blind eye to extremism.

While Columbia has attempted to regain control—most recently announcing the termination of 180 research staff linked to impacted federal grants—critics say the school’s leadership is in freefall.

“Leadership? What leadership?” asked Rabbi Michael Storch, a Jewish community leader in New York. “When anti-Israel thugs take over a library while students are trying to study, and the administration hesitates, it’s no longer a school—it’s a breeding ground for radicalism.”

Parents, donors, and alumni have joined a growing chorus demanding accountability. Columbia’s acting president, Claire Shipman, issued a statement late Tuesday lamenting the cuts and the ongoing disruption.

“Across the research portfolio we have had to make difficult choices,” she said, “and unfortunately, nearly 180 of our colleagues will receive notices of non-renewal or termination.”

But critics say those “choices” reflect political and financial mismanagement—and worse, a failure to protect students from escalating harassment.

The Bottom Line

As the country watches, Columbia now faces a crucial test: Will it uphold the values of free inquiry and student safety, or continue bending to radicals on campus?

With federal funding, public opinion, and student trust on the line, the answer may determine more than just the fate of one university—it could shape the future of higher education in America.

Do you think elite universities are doing enough to stop antisemitism on campus?