By Richard Pollina | New York Post
Columbia University’s iconic Hamilton Hall was left looking like a war zone after pro-terror activists smashed windows, set up barricades and destroyed furniture during their occupation of the building, causing an untold amount of damage.
The Ivy League school finally called on the NYPD to enter Hamilton Hall just after 9 p.m. Tuesday, with officers using a massive armored vehicle to push a bridge into a second-floor window to remove protestors that began occupying the space the previous night.
Images show that the occupiers had stacked chairs in doorways, staircases, and hallways — possibly as makeshift barriers to prevent police from reaching them.
Emergency Service Unit officers with riot shields were seen removing the blockage and using forced entry on doors to reach the unruly mob.
A countless amount of windows were pictured smashed and shattered throughout the building.
In a courtyard outside the building, the protesters’ trash and belongings were spread all across the ground.
NYPD spokesman Carlos Nieves said cops used four distraction devices — described as a “very loud bang to distract people” — to infiltrate the academic building.
Dozens of detained protesters were seen being filed out to buses by NYPD officers from Columbia’s campus after police used zip ties to make multiple arrests.
Multiple demonstrators continued screaming anti-Israel sentiments while police were removing them.
The arrests continued after the raid on Hamilton Hall, with police clearing out the encampment, including some protesters outside the campus.
About 100 protesters were arrested in the mass sweep, sources told The Post.
Nieves confirmed Hamilton Hall was secure, and the campus’ anti-Israel encampment was fully cleared out after authorities stormed the campus.
Nieves shared that there were no reports of any injuries.
NYPD brass announced earlier Tuesday that the Hamilton Hall occupiers would be charged with third-degree burglary, criminal mischief, and trespassing.
Those camped out on the lawn would be charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct.
Columbia University issued a statement just 15 minutes after cops entered the campus, saying it “regretted” having to rely on police to clear the mess.
“After the University learned overnight that Hamilton Hall had been occupied, vandalized, and blockaded, we were left with no choice,” the statement read.
“Columbia public safety personnel were forced out of the building, and a member of our facilities team was threatened. We will not risk the safety of our community or the potential for further escalation.”
Columbia added the decision was made to “restore safety and order to our community.”
“We believe that the group that broke into and occupied the building is led by individuals who are not affiliated with the University. Sadly, this dangerous decision followed more than a week of what had been productive discussions with representatives of the West Lawn encampment.”
About 45 minutes before the NYPD stormed the grounds, Columbia University issued a shelter-in-place for students over “heightened activity” at the Morningside campus and warned that those who did not abide would be hit with “disciplinary action.”
