Students at New York City’s Columbia University set up a "Liberated Zone" on Wednesday to protest the Israel-Hamas war.
According to the New York Daily News, students said the "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" would remain in the university’s main lawn until their demand that the school divest Columbia’s finances from companies and institutions that work with Israel is met by the administration.
"The presence of tents on South Lawn is a safety concern and a violation of university policies," a university spokesperson said. "We are informing the students they are in violation of university policies and for their own safety and for the operations of the university they need to leave."
Students began setting their tents up at around 4 am. Around 60 tents were set up, with two large signs stating "Liberated Zone" and "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" being put on display, the Daily Mail reported. Officials handed out papers to students informing them they may face suspension if they don’t leave by midday.
