Campus Buildings Vandalized as War Protests Continue

As protests continue at colleges across the country in response to the Israel-Hamas war, some of the demonstrators are turning to vandalism. 

The highest profile situation demonstrations are unfolding at New York City’s Columbia University, where protesters took over the entrance of a building and hang a Palestinian flag from a window, an Associated Press article said. 

The university’s Hamilton Hall was a focal point of the protesters, who the AP reported locked arms in front of the building and carried furniture and metal barricades to the building. The building takeover occurred after a deadline was given to protestors to leave an encampment on campus or face suspension. 

A university spokesman said that property has been vandalized and doors have been broken. Meanwhile, access to the Ivy League campus has been limited to students living in residential buildings and employees and only one access point. 

Related Content: Improving Safety and Security for Outdoor Spaces on Campus

Similar situations are taking place at other campuses:  

• Protesters have taken over two buildings at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, and under a “hard closure” and shelter-in-place conditions. 
• The library at Portland State University was broken into. 
• The threat of violence and protests caused the University of Southern California to cancel its main graduation event. 
• Students at the University of Wisconsin Madison set up an encampment on university grounds even though it is prohibited. 

Dave Lubach is executive editor for the facilities market. 

 

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