Dem deputies at Columbia University, ‘clear the campus’

(ANSA) – NEW YORK, APRIL 29 – In a sign of increasing political pressure on Columbia University, 21 Dem deputies have written to the university’s board of trustees asking that the tent city of pro-Palestinian students on campus be dismantled once for all. Until now, Republican lawmakers had been putting pressure on university leaders to end the student protests. “It is time for the university to act decisively and ensure the safety of all students by clearing the encampment. The time for negotiations has expired,” the deputies wrote: “The ultimate responsibility lies with the Board of Trustees. Those who do not hears it, he must resign.” The letter was signed by, among others, moderates Josh Gottheimer and Dan Goldman, former House Dem majority leader Steny Hoyer and colleagues Adam Schiff, Dean Phillips, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Ritchie Torres. Last week, with House Republican Majority Leader Mike Johnson in the front row, numerous GOP lawmakers called for the resignation of President Minouche Shafik who, despite having called the police on campus, was deemed too weak to handle the situation. Today, Shafik made a statement pledging to hold regular graduation ceremonies despite protests on campus. The president also said that negotiations with the students had been a dead end: “Unfortunately, we have not reached an agreement on how to clear the camp and enforce Columbia’s rules.” (HANDLE).