Moments of high tension during the night at Columbia University in New York , where the police intervened to evict the students who had occupied the Hamilton Hall campus . The occupation was born a few days ago from a firm stance against the Israeli bombings in the Gaza Strip and in support of the Palestinian people.
It was Columbia University that requested police intervention: hundreds of officers in riot gear went into action during the night, sparking moments of tension and clashes with the demonstrators. The agents' raid on the building took place through one of the windows of the building and, after encountering some resistance, they managed to evict all the occupants, arresting around a hundred people.
Police denied using tear gas, as some activists on social media claimed .
Columbia University defended its actions, saying that the police intervention was necessary to restore order and security on campus.
The occupation of Columbia University and the subsequent eviction are part of a broader protest movement that has involved several American universities in recent weeks : students and activists have organized demonstrations, sit-ins and occupations to express solidarity with the Palestinian cause and condemn the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.
In Los Angeles, clashes were reported during a protest on the campus of the University of California: the scuffles, as American TV reported, broke out when a group of pro-Israel activists showed up on the campus with the intention of removing the rally pro-Palestinian.
(Unioneonline/vl)