Staff Reports
In a shocking and disturbing incident reminiscent of the 1940s, a group of Jewish students at the Cooper Union in New York City found themselves barricaded inside the library while pro-Palestinian protesters banged on the doors. The New York Post reported that the incident occurred during a scheduled demonstration outside the building on East 7th Street.
Harrowing Footage: Jewish Students Barricade Themselves in Library as Pro-Palestinian Mob Hammers on Doors https://t.co/5D8ruKKvTU https://t.co/uCZYemWUXc #TheMillennialPress
— Millennial Conservative ™️ (@Milennial_con) October 27, 2023
The protesters, holding Palestinian flags and signs with anti-Zionist slogans, initially seemed to be heading towards the office of the college’s president, Laura Spark. However, they abruptly changed course and made their way to the library, where a small group of Jewish students were studying.
Ignoring the efforts of security guards to stop them, the protesters, some of whom were masked, began banging on the library doors, causing great fear and distress among the 11 Jewish students trapped inside. One senior student shared her experience, revealing that she was crying and terrified during the ordeal. She expressed gratitude that the doors were locked, as she couldn’t bear to imagine what might have happened otherwise.
The fact that the student chose to remain anonymous speaks volumes about the deep sense of insecurity she felt within her own school. Another student recounted a conversation with a librarian who suggested they go upstairs to hide from the protesters, evoking thoughts of Anne Frank hiding from the Nazis.
Despite the distressing and dangerous situation the students found themselves in, no arrests were made. New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul issued statements condemning antisemitism and expressing support for the affected students.
The lack of outrage and accountability surrounding this incident is deeply troubling. If the roles were reversed, and it was black students being targeted by white protesters, we can only imagine the outrage there would be. As Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel wisely said, “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.”
The deafening silence in response to this incident is concerning, and it leaves one with a sense that this is just the beginning. It is essential that we stand up against all forms of hate and intolerance, and that includes supporting and defending the rights of Jewish students to feel safe and secure on their own campuses.
