Dozens of anti-Israel protesters who occupied and barricaded themselves in buildings on the Columbia University campus in April had their charges dropped Thursday. The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg dropped cases against 30 students and staff members who were arrested during the campus unrest. Judge Kevin McGrath announced in the courtroom that 'All these matters are dismissed and sealed in the interest of justice.'
All the protesters were arrested on April 30, hours after taking over Hamilton Hall, an academic building, and were initially charged with trespass in the third degree, a misdemeanor. Stephen Millan, a prosecutor in the Manhattan district attorney's office, stated that there was insufficient evidence to show that any individual defendant damaged property or injured anyone. He noted that the protesters wore masks and covered surveillance cameras.
None of the students arrested had any prior criminal history, and all were facing disciplinary proceedings, including suspensions and expulsions, by Columbia University, prosecutors said. The DA's office mentioned that they are continuing to pursue cases from both campuses, including all assaults against police officers. There are ongoing school disciplinary proceedings for the students who had their cases dismissed.
The chaotic protests occurred amid similar demonstrations where anti-Israel protesters set up illegal encampments on college campuses nationwide over Israel's conflict with Hamas. The protests escalated after Columbia issued mass suspensions. Bragg's office decided not to drop the charges against another 13 defendants, two of whom were Columbia students, and the remaining 11 had no affiliation with the school, although most were alumni.
For those 13 defendants, their cases would have been dropped if they avoided being arrested over the next six months. However, they declined the offer and are scheduled to appear in court on July 25. The office is pursuing charges against James Carlson, who is not affiliated with Columbia, for criminal mischief and arson related to setting an Israeli flag alight before the takeover and damaging a police surveillance camera in jail. Carlson and his attorney plan to challenge the prosecution in court.
