Pro-Palestinian protests escalate at Barnard, Columbia Universities

Protests escalated at Barnard College as dozens of demonstrators entered the Milstein Center to demand the reversal of expulsions for three students involved in distributing controversial flyers during a class on Israel. The protests were sparked by the expulsion of two students for distributing flyers with 'violent imagery' and a third student for a previous protest. Protesters, some masked and holding Palestinian flags, disrupted activities in the library and were warned by the administration that further action would be taken if they did not leave. Tensions flared as Barnard officials stated they would pursue disciplinary measures against the demonstrators, while the students' supporters vowed to continue their protests until their demands were met. The situation coincided with broader national discussions around free speech and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, drawing attention from various media outlets. Police maintained a heavy presence due to the potential for violence, particularly following a bomb threat that was reported during the protest.