March 5, 2025 - Pro-Palestinian protesters have occupied the Milstein Center for Teaching and Learning (commonly referred to as the Milstein Library) at Barnard College in Manhattan. This event follows a series of similar demonstrations at the college, reflecting ongoing tensions related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and campus policies.
The occupation reportedly began around 1 p.m. MST (3 p.m. EST), with dozens of masked protesters entering the library through an unmarked side entrance. According to posts on X and news sources, the demonstrators are demanding the reversal of the expulsions of three Barnard students, which they claim were due to pro-Palestinian activism. These expulsions include two students removed in late February for disrupting a "History of Modern Israel" class on January 21, 2025, and a third student expelled on February 28, 2025, allegedly for participating in protests on Columbia University’s campus last year, including the occupation of Hind’s Hall. The activist group Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) has been vocal in organizing and publicizing these actions, framing them as a response to what they call a "corrupt disciplinary process" and Barnard's alleged complicity in supporting Israel.
Videos and social media posts show protesters inside the Milstein Center, with some reports suggesting they are blocking access to the library. Demonstrators have been described as chanting slogans, holding signs (including a "Wanted" poster targeting Dean Leslie Grinage), and engaging in symbolic acts, such as jostling with a puppet representing Barnard President Laura Rosenbury. Barnard’s public safety team quickly responded by securing the entrance, and administrators issued a notice around 2 p.m. MST (4 p.m. EST) urging the protesters to leave peacefully to avoid further escalation. It remains unclear whether the protesters intend to stay long-term or if this will escalate into a prolonged sit-in, as occurred in late February at Milbank Hall, where a similar protest ended after six hours following negotiations.
This occupation comes on the heels of a February 26, 2025, incident at Milbank Hall, where masked protesters forcibly entered the building, assaulted a staff member (who was hospitalized), and staged a sit-in that disrupted classes. That event ended after Barnard set a 9:30 p.m. deadline and secured a meeting with the protesters. The current demonstration appears to be an escalation, targeting a key academic space rather than administrative offices, possibly to maximize disruption to campus operations.
Barnard officials have consistently condemned such actions, with President Laura Rosenbury previously stating that disregard for community safety is "completely unacceptable." The college has offered to engage with protesters but insists on conditions like removing masks, which demonstrators have refused. Meanwhile, the protests have drawn criticism for their tactics—such as masking and alleged violence—and have fueled debates about free speech, campus safety, and antisemitism, especially after the Anti-Defamation League downgraded Barnard’s grade from a C to a D for its handling of such incidents.
The situation is still unfolding as of 1:49 p.m. MST (3:49 p.m. EST), with no definitive resolution reported yet. The protesters’ demands also include amnesty for disciplined students, transparency in disciplinary proceedings, and a public meeting with Barnard leadership. Given the pattern of past events, the college may again set a deadline or involve law enforcement if the occupation persists, though their immediate focus seems to be de-escalation. Sentiment on X suggests a mix of support for the protesters’ cause and frustration over their methods, with some calling it a bold stand and others labeling it disruptive overreach. For now, the campus remains on edge as administrators and students navigate this latest chapter in a year-long saga of pro-Palestinian activism.
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Let's take a step back
March 5, 2025 - recent events at Barnard College, a private women’s liberal arts college affiliated with Columbia University in New York City, provide a relevant case study for understanding the kind of campus unrest that has drawn attention from President Donald Trump. While there isn’t a protest actively "developing" this very moment based on the latest available information, significant protest activity occurred at Barnard as recently as late February 2025, which aligns with the broader context of Trump’s statements about defunding colleges and jailing participants in what he deems "illegal protests."
What Happened at Barnard College?
On February 26, 2025, more than 50 anti-Israel protesters, many wearing keffiyehs and masks, took over Milbank Hall, a historic academic building on Barnard’s campus. This action was in response to the expulsion of two students who, in January, had disrupted a Columbia University class titled "History of Modern Israel" by distributing antisemitic flyers. The protesters, organized in part by groups like Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine, demanded the reinstatement of the expelled students, amnesty for those disciplined in prior anti-Israel protests, and the abolition of Barnard’s disciplinary processes, which they called corrupt. During the takeover, the protesters assaulted a 41-year-old campus security officer, sending them to the hospital, and barricaded an administrator in her office for hours. They used megaphones, drums, and chants like "Free Palestine" and "intifada revolution" to amplify their message.
The occupation lasted several hours, ending just before 10:40 p.m. that evening, after which the group marched to Riverside Park and vowed to return the next day. On February 27, protests continued with around 100 demonstrators gathering outside Barnard’s entrance, leading to several arrests by the NYPD as tensions escalated. The college administration offered to negotiate with the protesters if they removed their masks, but the students refused, citing safety concerns. Barnard officials condemned the actions as a violation of community safety and academic values, and they are now working to identify and discipline those involved.
How This Relates to Trump’s Claim
President Trump, on March 4, 2025, posted on Truth Social that he would halt federal funding to any college, school, or university that "allows illegal protests," threatening to imprison or deport "agitators" and permanently expel or arrest American students involved, depending on the severity of their actions. He also emphasized "NO MASKS," reflecting a specific grievance about protesters concealing their identities. This statement came just days after the Barnard incident and amid a broader wave of campus unrest, particularly tied to pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel demonstrations that have persisted since the Israel-Hamas conflict intensified in October 2023.
The Barnard protest directly ties into Trump’s rhetoric in several ways:
Nature of the Protest: The takeover of Milbank Hall involved physical violence (assaulting a security officer), property occupation, and disruption of normal campus operations—actions that could be classified as "illegal" under local laws or campus policies, though Trump has not explicitly defined the term. The First Amendment protects free speech, but activities like assault or unauthorized building occupations typically cross into illegal territory, which aligns with what Trump appears to target.
Federal Funding Threat: Barnard, as part of the Columbia University system, receives significant federal funding. Columbia itself faces a review of over $5 billion in federal grant commitments due to allegations of failing to protect Jewish students under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Trump’s pledge to defund institutions that tolerate such protests could directly impact Barnard, especially given the violent and disruptive nature of the February incident.
Jailing or Expelling Participants: The protesters at Barnard included masked individuals, some of whom may be international students (though most are likely U.S. citizens). Trump’s threat to jail or deport agitators and expel American students mirrors the disciplinary actions Barnard has already taken—expelling students for related disruptions—and escalates them to a federal level. His administration’s prior executive order from January 2025, aimed at combating antisemitism and deporting foreign students involved in "pro-jihadist protests," further contextualizes this stance.
Timing and Context: Trump’s March 4 statement followed his administration’s announcement on March 3 of a review of Columbia’s federal contracts, explicitly citing antisemitic incidents and protests. The Barnard events of February 26-27, occurring just a week prior, likely fueled this narrative, as they received widespread media coverage and criticism from Jewish advocacy groups like StopAntisemitism, which also called for defunding Columbia and Barnard.
Broader Implications
The Barnard protest exemplifies the kind of campus unrest Trump is addressing—disruptive, at times violent, and tied to contentious geopolitical issues. Critics argue that his approach threatens free speech, as the First Amendment protects the right to protest, and "illegal" is a vague term that could be weaponized against lawful dissent. Supporters, however, see it as a necessary response to restore order, especially when protests escalate beyond peaceful assembly, as seen at Barnard with the assault and occupation.
In this case, Barnard’s administration has already acted against participants by expelling students and pursuing further discipline, suggesting some alignment with Trump’s goals, though not at the federal punitive level he proposes. Whether Trump’s policy would be enforceable—given legal challenges under the First Amendment and the autonomy of private institutions like Barnard—remains debated among experts. For now, the Barnard protest serves as a flashpoint illustrating the tension between campus activism, institutional control, and Trump’s hardline stance on "illegal protests." 17GEN4.com
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