Staff Reports
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democratic congresswoman from New York City, criticized Columbia University for calling in the New York City police to manage protests in support of Palestine. Ocasio-Cortez condemned the university for deploying the police, specifically citing the use of the New York Police Department’s Strategic Response Group (SRG). She questioned why such a unit, known for its aggressive tactics, was deployed to handle the protests.
This move by Columbia University has come under scrutiny from Ocasio-Cortez and other critics, who argue that the use of the SRG, a counterterrorism unit, at protests is excessive. The American Civil Liberties Union’s New York branch has also expressed concerns about the SRG’s involvement in policing protests, claiming that it has blurred the line between counterterrorism and handling peaceful demonstrations.
Not only did Columbia make the horrific decision to mobilize NYPD on their own students, but the units called in have some of the most violent reputations on the force.
NYPD had promised the city they wouldn’t deploy SRG to protests.
So why are these counterterror units here? https://t.co/nfDVfueNSz
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) April 24, 2024
The protests at universities, including Columbia, have been fueled by opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza and criticism of the United States’ support for those efforts. Columbia University announced that due to the ongoing demonstrations, most classes would transition to a hybrid model for the rest of the semester, prioritizing the safety of students and the continuity of academic operations.
It is clear that the deployment of police at university protests has sparked controversy and raised questions about the appropriate response to such demonstrations. Ocasio-Cortez’s vocal criticism of Columbia University’s decision to involve the police reflects the broader debate surrounding the handling of protests and the appropriate balance between maintaining safety and upholding the right to peaceful assembly.
