Following President Trump’s halt of $400 million in federal funding, pro-Palestine groups at Columbia University and Barnard College plan to continue protests. Activists denounce the funding cut as a political maneuver amidst allegations of antisemitism. Simultaneously, ICE’s detention of student Mahmoud Khalil raises concerns regarding the rights of immigrant students. Columbia asserts adherence to legal protocols amid ongoing tensions.

Pro-Palestine student groups at Columbia University and Barnard College have vowed to persist with their protests following President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend $400 million in federal funding. This move comes in the wake of ongoing criticisms regarding the universities’ handling of allegations of antisemitism, especially amidst tensions from recent demonstrations connecting to the Palestinian cause.

The Trump administration attributed the funding cut to what it perceived as the universities’ failure to address antisemitism adequately. Nonetheless, this decision has not deterred the student activists, who decried the action as politically motivated. “The Trump Administration has frozen $400 million… without due process, in the name of ‘antisemitism,'” stated BarnardAlumni4Palestine on social media.

Activists insist that the struggle for Palestinian rights must not be impeded. The group expressed, “We cannot allow the movement for Palestinian liberation… to be used as a SCAPEGOAT.” Another protesting collective, Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), condemned the funding withdrawal as a deceptive tactic rather than a genuine attempt to address antisemitism.

In a related incident, ICE detained Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia student allegedly involved in protest negotiations. Reports indicate he was taken from his university residence. According to Writers against the War on Gaza, “Last night, agents from the Department of Homeland Security abducted Mahmoud Khalil… from his place of residence.” Khalil’s legal status, having entered the US on a student visa and potentially holding a Green Card, raises concerns surrounding the rights of non-citizen students.

Columbia University acknowledged reports of ICE activity on campus while affirming its adherence to legal regulations. A spokesperson emphasized the need for judicial warrants before law enforcement could enter non-public university areas, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to its students and the law.

In summary, Columbia University and Barnard College students are steadfast in their protest efforts against the cessation of federal funding mandated by the Trump administration. The activists perceive the funding cut as a politically charged scare tactic aimed at suppressing their movement for Palestinian liberation. Concurrently, the detention of student Mahmoud Khalil intensifies the scrutiny over the treatment of immigrant students within academic institutions. Columbia’s administration maintains compliance with legal requirements while expressing solidarity with its student body.

Original Source: www.amny.com

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