On Thursday, the Manhattan district attorney’s office took steps to dismiss charges against the majority of pro-Palestinian protesters who were arrested at Columbia University and City College. However, the prosecutors are proceeding with cases against a small group of protesters who are accused of assaulting police officers.
According to prosecutors, the investigation is facing a major obstacle as they have access to only a few videos or surveillance footages of the incident that took place inside Hamilton Hall. The protesters had covered most of the cameras, making it extremely difficult for them to gather evidence.
Related posts
Columbia University has decided to drop charges against 31 individuals, who are either students or staff members. However, they are still subject to disciplinary action as deemed fit by the university.
Prosecutors have moved to dismiss these cases in light of the disciplinary proceedings.
As long as they steer clear of trouble, 12 defendants who are not affiliated with Columbia University as employees or students have been offered adjournments by the district attorney’s office.
The ongoing legal proceedings involve six defendants who are facing charges of assaulting police officers at either Columbia or City College.
In April, the protest movement concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict started at Columbia University and quickly spread across various college campuses throughout the United States.
Police arrested numerous protesters on college campuses nationwide, with encampments dismantled and scheduled events cancelled.
Columbia University had to cancel its grand graduation ceremony which was typically held on the main lawn. This decision was made after a protest encampment was established there, which was later dismantled by the NYPD in May.
