NYPD says there are overwhelmingly “professional agitators” there.

Police officers equipped with zip ties and riot shields forcefully entered a Columbia University building occupied by pro-Palestinian protesters, making arrests as tensions escalated. A total of 282 individuals were arrested at Columbia University and the City College of New York. Authorities noted the presence of “professional agitators” among the protesters, emphasizing that they were not representative of the student body. NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Tarik Sheppard spoke with NewsNation Now about the situation, highlighting the challenging response to the protests. At The City College of New York, a standoff ensued between demonstrators and police, with video footage showing confrontations as officers cleared the area. The encampment at the public college had been ongoing since Thursday. This incident reflects the ongoing tensions between authorities and protesters.