New York City Mayor Eric Adams held a news conference on Wednesday morning to address the recent incident at the Columbia University campus. According to Mayor Adams, individuals who broke into the Hamilton Hall building included students, but they were reportedly led by individuals who are not affiliated with the university.
During the news conference, Mayor Adams highlighted the need for NYPD assistance in clearing Hamilton Hall and the encampments outside the building. He described the operation as a successful effort to reclaim the area, which involved clearing tents and securing the building.
The mayor mentioned that approximately 300 people have been arrested in connection with the incident. He emphasized the importance of distinguishing between students who were legitimately present and those who were not authorized to be on the campus grounds.
Mayor Adams expressed concern about external actors with a history of escalating situations and creating chaos. He noted that these individuals were not seeking peaceful protest but rather attempting to sow disorder.
