Columbia University Protest Turns Violent, Demonstrators Arrested Over ICE Protests

US Police Arrest 12 Demonstrators at Columbia University Protest

Twelve individuals were taken into custody by US police during a protest at Columbia University in New York on Tuesday. The protesters, who identified themselves as opponents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), claimed that the university had cooperated with ICE agents.

The demonstrators gathered on campus to express their opposition to what they saw as the university’s involvement with immigration enforcement. They demanded that the institution declare itself a sanctuary, a designation that would imply it is not willing to cooperate with federal authorities in enforcing immigration laws.

According to reports, the protesters were arrested by US police officers who arrived at the scene. The exact circumstances surrounding the arrests are unclear, but eyewitnesses described the situation as chaotic.

The university has been the focus of controversy in recent years due to its handling of student protests and its policies on immigration enforcement. The demonstration was one of several events planned by anti-ICE activists in the New York area.

The arrests have sparked a reaction from students and faculty at Columbia University, who are calling for greater transparency about the institution’s interactions with law enforcement agencies. The university has declined to comment on the specific allegations made by the protesters.

The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between immigration advocates and institutions of higher education in the United States.

Source: Al Jazeera