Columbia extends negotiations to clear pro-Palestinian encampment

Columbia University announced Wednesday it has extended negotiations with pro-Palestinian protesters to clear their encampments on the school’s lawn before further action against them is taken.  

The original deadline for protesters to leave was Tuesday at midnight or else police may have stepped in to dismantle the encampment.

But the university said due to significant progress made in negotiations with student leaders, the school has given another 48 hour extension to the deadline.  

Columbia said the organizers agreed to dismantle a “significant number of tents,” ensure only those affiliated with the school are taking part in the protest, and that those taking part will comply with safety requirements and take steps to ensure no discriminatory language is used.  

“In light of this constructive dialogue, the University will continue conversations for the next 48 hours,” the school said.  

The encampment began last Wednesday, when multiple university officials were questioned at a House hearing about antisemitism on campus. 

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is set to visit with Jewish students at Columbia on Wednesday. House Republicans from New York earlier this week called on the president of the university to resign.

The protests on Columbia’s campus have received bipartisan condemnation due to claims of violence and antisemitism at the encampment.  

The protesters have said they refuse to leave until the school agrees to divest from Israel or any companies associated with the war.  

The encampments have led Columbia to announce this week that classes will be remote for the rest of the semester due to safety concerns.  

More than 100 students have been arrested since the encampments began, with Columbia saying it will suspend those participating in the event.