A police officer who was involved in clearing protesters from a Columbia University administration building earlier this week fired his gun inside the hall, a spokesperson for District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office confirmed Thursday.
No one was injured, according to spokesperson Doug Cohen, who said there were other officers but no students in the immediate vicinity. He said Bragg’s office is conducting a review.
He did not provide additional details on the incident, which was first reported by news outlet The City.
The New York Police Department did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’ request for comment.
to be fair the protesters aren’t really helping their own cause.
the last wave of social protests were maybe 5-10 years ago on sexual assault, and back then protesters knew to keep to public spaces. if you demonstrate on the sidewalk or organise a march you’re exercising freedom of speech.
but the new wave of protest organizers didn’t get the memo or something. when you do shit like block off a highway or occupy a privately-held building, you’re fighting on others’ terms. You annoy the heck out of the public, create ill-will, and give law enforcement the excuse of removing you for trespassing.
the fact that guns were fired (along with the fact that so many policemen showed up) is crazy, but removing these protesters was the right move.
I don’t know if it was the “right move”, but yeah it’s ineffective to protest at night inside a building. Just sleep in your own bed and march with a sign every day.
These protests are a distraction from their own cause. Columbia is on Broadway. Literally just march down Broadway with signs every day. Every tourist will take photos along the way. You’re in one of the most visited cities on the planet, home to the UN, many consulates, many organization headquarters, many famous locations and you stay in some tents uptown?
Fucking why???
Hamilton Hall has been occupied multiple times in Columbia’s history. This was a symbolic protest and it’s sad that you don’t know that.
https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/education/columbia-university-protests-history/
Guess you forgot about the George Floyd protests 4 years ago.
Sit-ins worked for the civil rights movement. If it worked in the 60s it will work today.
Sit ins worked because being there was the thing they wanted to change.
It’s almost like protests need to be disruptive so people will pay attention and listen.