Police Address Bomb Threat: Pro-Palestinian Protesters Evacuated from Barnard College Library

On Wednesday, Barnard College’s library was evacuated due to a fake bomb threat. This incident occurred during a sit-in organized by pro-Palestinian protesters.

The New York Police Department reported the threat at the Milstein Center, the main hub for academic activities at the college. They warned that anyone who refused to leave would face arrest.

By 8 p.m., the police confirmed on social media that the threat had been investigated and cleared. Around nine individuals were taken into custody following the demonstration, though details about potential charges were not provided.

Videos shared online showed the protesters inside the library earlier in the day, chanting and playing drums, while displaying Palestinian flags. Many participants wore kaffiyeh scarves that covered their faces.

Evening videos depicted police entering the building equipped with helmets and zip ties, and later clearing protesters from both inside the library and outside on the lawn.

Barnard’s President, Laura Ann Rosenbury, stated that the college would resume its regular academic schedule on Thursday. She criticized the protesters for putting the safety of students and staff at risk by ignoring evacuation orders despite being alerted to the danger.

“Today has been unsettling and disturbing,” Rosenbury remarked. “The needs of our community must come first.”

Meanwhile, Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine claimed the bomb threat was fabricated by Barnard’s administration to disband the protest. They pointed out that detained protesters were brought back into the library as police continued their investigation.

This student group had initiated their sit-in around 1 p.m. in response to recent expulsions of pro-Palestinian demonstrators and actions taken by the college officials. Previously, some protesters had gained access to the Milbank Hall, where they reportedly assaulted an employee.

Protest organizers eventually agreed to leave after the administration consented to meet with them to discuss their demands, which included amnesty for all students disciplined for protest activities.

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Bomb threats, Protests and demonstrations, Law enforcement, Laura Ann Rosenbury, Colleges and universities, Evacuations, General news, New York City Wire, NY State Wire, Palestinian territories government, Education, Manhattan, U.S. news, New York