Brooklyn, Columbia Protests Draw Police, Trump Pressure

On Thursday evening, pro-Palestinian activists, including students and faculty, set up an unauthorized encampment at Brooklyn College, leading to confrontations with NYPD officers and campus security. Fourteen people were taken into custody after police used force, including a Taser, to disperse the crowd, with videos showing officers urging the removal of children from the scene. Protesters shouted pro-Palestinian slogans and accused police of excessive force, while the college reiterated its support for peaceful protest within campus rules. This event followed a protest at Columbia University, where over 100 demonstrators occupied the Butler Library and 80 were arrested. The incidents have placed universities under heightened scrutiny regarding their management of campus unrest. Both police responses reflect mounting pressure from the Trump administration on institutions to quickly end pro-Palestinian protests.