Text of April 30 Letter From Columbia’s President to N.Y.P.D.

Dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Columbia University in Manhattan were arrested Tuesday night by hundreds of police officers in riot gear.

Columbia’s president, Nemat Shafik, who goes by Minouche, said in a letter to the New York Police Department that her decision to request its intervention had been made with the support of the university’s trustees and that the actions of demonstrators “have become a magnet for protesters outside our gates, which creates significant risk to our campus.” The following is the text of the letter from Columbia’s website.

Letter to NYPD – Apr. 30

April 30, 2024

The letter below was sent by President Minouche Shafik to the New York Police Department’s deputy commissioner for legal matters on April 30, 2024.

April 30, 2024

Michael Gerber, Deputy Commissioner, Legal Matters

New York City Police Department

Dear Deputy Commissioner Gerber,

I write with regard to the unrest on Columbia’s campus.

As we have discussed, in the early morning of April 30, 2024 a group of individuals entered Hamilton Hall for the purpose of occupying the building. The building was closed at the time the students entered. An individual hid in the building until after it closed and let the other individuals in. There were two security guards inside. We were able to secure their release. We believe that while the group who broke into the building includes students, it is led by individuals who are not affiliated with the University. The individuals who have occupied Hamilton Hall have vandalized University property and are trespassing.

In addition, we have had a continuing encampment on the West Lawn of the Morningside campus since Friday, April 19, 2024. Last night an additional encampment appeared on the Math Lawn.