An employee was injured at Barnard College in New York City after pro-Palestinian protesters stormed a campus building, according to the school.
Robin Levine, Barnard College’s vice president for strategic communications, said masked protesters forcibly entered Milbank Hall on Wednesday and encouraged others to come on campus without identifying themselves, according to a statement obtained by NewsNation.
As the protesters went into the building, an employee was physically assaulted and sent to the hospital.
“We have made multiple good-faith efforts to de-escalate. Barnard leadership offered to meet with the protesters — just as we meet with all members of our community — on one simple condition: Remove their masks,” Levine said. “They refused. We have also offered mediation.”
Around 9 p.m. EST last night, the individuals, who the school was unsure were part of their community, were still in the building until the school took further action to remove them. The deadline was 9:30 p.m.
“Thanks to the efforts of our staff and faculty,” the protesters left before the deadline without more trouble, Levine said.
“Barnard is a place of learning. Respect, inclusivity, and safety are non-negotiable,” Levine said. “Violence and intimidation have no place here.”
A similar protest, on a much larger scale, happened at neighboring Columbia University last year when demonstrators took over a campus building, although police were used to remove the protesters.
The incident comes as the Trump administration has threatened to deport “pro-Hamas” protesters on campuses and vowed to crack down on antisemitism at schools.
The demonstrations are related to the Israel-Hamas war, which is currently under a shaky ceasefire agreement.
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