Columbia University's Alma Mater statue was vandalized as Pro-Palestinian protests resumed on campus on the first day of classes. Videos and photos shared on social media showed the statue dripping in red paint.
NEW: Video of the vandalism of the Alma Mater statue at Columbia today. Red paint was dumped over it. https://t.co/dC4Agz5VNlpic.twitter.com/FFCmoMFl0q
— Steve McGuire (@sfmcguire79) September 3, 2024
Protesters rallied outside Columbia University's gates, urging students and faculty to skip classes with chants like "Don't Go to Classes, Do Not Enter, Call Out Sick."
"We refuse to live in a world where the mass murder of Palestinians is normal, acceptable, and profitable. Columbia University is complicit in genocide," Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine said on X. "Their investments in weapons manufacturers & defense contractors, companies such as Lockheed Martin, are fueling the genocide."
In response, House Republican leaders condemned the protests.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Majority Leader Steve Scalise said, "There should be a zero tolerance policy for antisemitic violence on campus that targets Jewish students. If universities won’t hold protestors accountable, Congress will. Just last month, we subpoenaed several Columbia University officials, and we will continue our investigations and take action on the floor as students return to campus."
GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik added, "Columbia University has repeatedly enabled radical pro-Hamas mobs, putting Jewish members of their community at risk and allowing antisemitic hate to take root at a once acclaimed institution. House Republicans will use every tool at our disposal to demand immediate action from Columbia University on behalf of the Jewish students who want to pursue their education without fear."
Tuesday's protests follow the resignation of Columbia's former president Minouche Shafik, who faced backlash for her handling of antisemitism on campus. Katrina Armstrong, who has been serving as interim president since Shafik's departure in August, has reportedly met with students on both sides of the issue, according to the Associated Press.