Columbia University’s iconic Hamilton Hall now resembles a war zone after pro-terrorist militants smashed windows, erected barricades and destroyed furniture during their occupation of the building, causing countless damages.
The Ivy League school finally called the New York Police Department into Hamilton Hall shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday, with officers using a massive armored vehicle to push a bridge into a second-story window to evacuate protesters who had started occupying the space the night before.
The footage shows the occupants had stacked chairs in doorways, staircases and hallways – possibly as makeshift barriers to prevent police from reaching them.
Emergency Services Unit officers equipped with riot shields were seen removing the blockage and forcing open doors to reach the unruly crowd.
Countless windows were photographed smashed and smashed throughout the building.
In a courtyard outside the building, protesters’ trash and personal belongings were scattered on the ground.
NYPD spokesman Carlos Nieves said officers used four distraction devices — described as a “very loud bang to distract people” — to infiltrate the university building.
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Dozens of detained protesters were seen being taken onto buses by NYPD officers from the Columbia campus after police used zip ties to make several arrests.
Many protesters continued to shout anti-Israel sentiments as police removed them.
Arrests continued after the raid on Hamilton Hall, with police clearing the encampment, including some protesters off campus.
About 100 protesters were arrested during the massive operation, sources told The Post.
Nieves confirmed that Hamilton Hall was secure and that the anti-Israel encampment on campus had been completely emptied after authorities stormed the campus.
Nieves said no injuries were reported.
NYPD officials announced earlier Tuesday that the occupants of Hamilton Hall would be charged with third-degree burglary, criminal mischief and trespassing.
Those who camped on the lawn would be charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct.
Columbia University issued a statement just 15 minutes after officers entered campus, saying it “regretted” having to rely on police to clean up the mess.
“After the University learned overnight that Hamilton Hall had been occupied, vandalized and boarded up, we had no choice,” the statement said.
“Columbia Public Safety personnel were forced to leave the building and a member of our facilities team was threatened. We will not endanger the safety of our community or the risk of further escalation.
Columbia added that the decision was made to “restore safety and order to our community.”
“We believe the group that broke into and occupied the building is led by individuals who are not affiliated with the University. Unfortunately, this dangerous decision follows more than a week of productive discussions with representatives of the West Lawn encampment.
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About 45 minutes before New York police stormed the grounds, Columbia University set up a student shelter due to “increased activity” on the Morningside campus and warned that those who did not comply would be subject to “disciplinary measures”.
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