Tensions Rise as “Intifada” Encampment Erupts at City College of New York

Tensions Rise as “Intifada” Encampment Erupts at City College of New York

Edited by: Fern Sidman

Thursday night bore witness to escalating tensions at the newly established “intifada” encampment within the hallowed grounds of the City College of New York, as anti-Israel demonstrators clashed with school security personnel, capturing the attention of onlookers and igniting fervent debate, as was reported by The New York Post.

Pro-Hamas extremists just set up an encampment at CUNY University in NYC.

Everyone can see what’s going on here.

This is just like the fabricated BLM uprising in 2016 and Antifa of 2020.

It’s all meant to disrupt the election and it’s funded by Soros.pic.twitter.com/xgSKrT60vI

— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) April 25, 2024

In a dramatic turn of events, captured on video by independent journalist Katie Smith, the encampment became a focal point of unrest as protesters surrounded a school security guard, chanting defiantly, “We will stay, we will stay!,” the Post report indicated. With hands raised in protest, the anti-Israel mob compelled the guard to retreat, walking backward towards a group of NYPD officers congregated nearby.

The footage depicts a tense standoff as protesters formed a human barrier, advancing towards the steps where law enforcement officers stood. According to the Post report, despite the escalating confrontation, no arrests were reported as of 6:30 p.m. Thursday, according to police sources.

The encampment, erected earlier that day on the grounds of the state-funded college, marked a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the pro-Hamas, pro-terror cause, with participants raising the Palestinian flag high above the quad, as per the information provided in the Post report. By afternoon, the campus was engulfed in a sea of Hamas flags and banners, signaling the fervent support for the terror movement that was responsible for the brutal massacre of 1200 Israelis and others on October 7^th in southern Israel.

Faculty have formed a human barrier between their CUNY students and campus police. pic.twitter.com/ZainMmk1f9

— Luca Saeed (@cityascanvass) April 25, 2024

Indie reporter Talia Jane captured scenes of the campus adorned with Palestinian symbols, showcasing the magnitude of the demonstration. Detailed in the Post report was that as many as 300 protesters converged on the Convent Avenue campus, amplifying their voices in a unified call for continued terror against Israel.

“We have a right to control where our tuition goes, and it should never go towards oppressing any people anywhere!” declared Within Our Lifetime organizer Nerdeen Kiswani, addressing the crowd through a megaphone, according to the information contained in the Post report.  Kiswani’s speech, shared on the group’s social media platforms, resonated with the crowd, igniting a fervor of solidarity and determination to support terrorism targeting Israel.

The term “intifada,” historically associated with Palestinian uprisings against Israel, calls attention to the gravity of the moment, evoking memories of past struggles and the ongoing quest for “liberation.”

Against the backdrop of ongoing war that Hamas launched against Israel in October, demonstrators raised their voices in solidarity with the Hamas cause, demanding tangible action from university authorities.

Several signs adorned the encampment area, boldly proclaiming the call for divestment from Israel in response to what they have described as the escalating violence in Gaza, the Post report said.

While the demonstration remained mostly calm, the presence of NYPD officers monitoring the perimeter illustrated the underlying tension simmering beneath the surface. Despite the relative tranquility, the warning issued by Kiswani  loomed large, cautioning against any attempts to suppress the protest.

Protestors at CUNY just pushed campus police out of their encampment:pic.twitter.com/UxzOddyZYi

— Steve McGuire (@sfmcguire79) April 25, 2024

“Efforts to shut down the demonstration will be met with anger,” Kiswani declared, her words echoing through the crowd as a rallying cry, the Post reported.

In a video shared by Scootercaster, Kiswani’s message reverberated across social media platforms, amplifying the call to action and galvanizing support from allies across New York City. The prospect of mobilizing a broader community in solidarity with the Hamas cause served as a powerful deterrent against any potential suppression of the protest.

Amidst the standoff between demonstrators and authorities, one student organizer defiantly declared their intent to maintain the encampment, despite pressure from school public safety personnel and the NYPD. The Post report also said that in a video captured by Talia Jane, the organizer’s resolute stance encapsulated the unwavering determination of the protesters, signaling their refusal to yield to authorities.

Public safety officers just got shoved out of the CUNY squatter camp. Look at how the peaceful protesters physically force them. Bottles thrown. What a hateful circus. Bring in the NYPD. pic.twitter.com/FV1VhYJMmx

— Heidi Bachram 🎗️ (@HeidiBachram) April 25, 2024

The group CUNY4Palestine mobilized supporters to converge at City College at 4 p.m., responding to reports of CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos’ alleged threat to deploy the NYPD to quell the protest, according to the Post report. However, as of now, no definitive plans have been made to clear the campus, leaving the situation in limbo as the university observes its spring break until April 30.

The absence of concrete action from law enforcement adds an air of uncertainty to the unfolding events, as protesters continue to assert their presence and demand for action. Indicated in the Post report  was that while the composition of the demonstrators remains unclear, CUNY Professor James Hoff shed light on the diverse makeup of the crowd, noting the significant presence of faculty and union members among the protesters.

WATCH: I (a visibly orthodox jew) get ASSAULTED while filming HAMAS ENCAMPMENT at CUNY. My kippah falls off and the mob says “pick up the f*cking hat Ill f*ck you up” pic.twitter.com/xMasfyVWJo

— Gideon Askowitz (@Gideon_Askowitz) April 26, 2024

Meanwhile, across town at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in Chelsea, another wave of unrest unfolded on Thursday.  In a dramatic turn of events captured on video by Citizen Free Press, dozens of individuals, many adorned in Palestinian headscarves, stormed into a building on the campus premises, according to the Post.  As campus security grappled to maintain control, protesters managed to infiltrate the academic building, setting up a makeshift camp area in the lobby.

FIT, renowned as a hub for aspiring designers and fashion professionals, stands as a symbol of creativity and innovation. Yet, the Post report said that amidst the chaos of the protest, the institution finds itself thrust into the spotlight.

As authorities navigate the complexities of managing campus unrest, the specter of ongoing protests casts a shadow over the academic landscape of New York City. With tensions running high and emotions running deep, the coming days may well prove decisive in shaping the trajectory of these demonstrations and their broader implications for the city’s academic institutions and beyond.