As anti-war demonstrations continue to sweep through college campuses across the nation, confrontations between law enforcement and student protesters have intensified. One recent incident took place at Columbia University, where hundreds of demonstrators were arrested by police officers.

Maryam Alwan, a Columbia student and active participant in the anti-war movement, reported witnessing the police raid on the campus. She shared videos showing officers throwing tables and breaking windows, asserting that the police caused more property damage and posed a greater physical threat than the students themselves.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, during a press conference, stated that city police were deployed to Columbia University in response to an administrative request. Mayor Adams claimed that "outside agitators" had infiltrated the movement and were co-opting it for their own purposes. However, student activists, like Cameron Jones, rejected this statement, emphasizing that the movement remained student-led and driven by a commitment to humanity.

The conflict at Columbia University arose following President Minouche Shafik's testimony before a Congressional hearing in Washington, DC, where she urged the NYPD to intervene in demonstrations against Israel's war in Gaza on the New York City campus. Since then, protests and counter-protests have emerged at several universities nationwide, leading to increased law enforcement interventions and arrests of students.

According to Mayor Adams, his decision to send city police officers to Columbia's campus was influenced by the revelation that one of the protesters was not a student and that the spouse of an external participant had been arrested for federal terrorism charges. Adams expressed concerns about escalating violence and deemed it necessary to take action.

Further incidents unfolded this week as police officers dismantled protest encampments at the University of California, Los Angeles, and forcibly removed demonstrators from Fordham University's campus in New York City. Officers also cleared protesters at City College of New York.

When questioned about the justification for police involvement, Mayor Adams clarified that the police's actions were carried out with the permission and authorization of the respective university administrations. He emphasized that public safety was his priority and that peaceful protests were protected, while destructive behavior and harm to individuals and property were not.

The clashes between law enforcement and anti-war demonstrators on college campuses have sparked debates about the appropriate response to protests and the limits of police intervention. As tensions persist, students and activists continue to advocate for their causes while seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflicts.