Campus protests live: NYPD claims officer ‘accidentally’ fired gun while clearing Gaza protesters at Columbia

3 May 2024 • 9:01 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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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.

On Thursday morning, hundreds of police officers dismantled a pro-Palestinian protest camp at the University of California at Los Angeles and arrested more than 130 demonstrators.

Live TV footage showed protesters under arrest, kneeling on the ground, their hands bound behind their backs with zip ties. Loud explosions were heard during the clash from flash-bang charges, or stun grenades, fired by police.

Meanwhile, 90 Gaza demonstrators were arrested at Dartmouth College. At least 30 people have been detained at Portland State University.

President Joe Biden also denounced protests that turned violent on college campuses on Thursday.