Vandals targeted the residence of Columbia University’s president, leaving behind a trail of red paint and a powerful message that read “Free Them All.” The incident occurred amidst ongoing protests following the arrest of former protest leader Mahmoud Khalil by ICE.
The historic building located at 60 Morningside Drive was found splattered with red paint and the urgent message scrawled in black marker in the early hours of the morning. Columbia’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, resides in the building, making it a significant target for the vandals.
No arrests have been made in connection to the vandalism, and it remains unclear who is responsible for the act. The “CU Apartheid Divest” group shared a photo of the damage on social media, accompanied by a caption denouncing Columbia University’s alleged complicity in genocide and repression.
Protesters have been demanding Khalil’s release, leading to nearly 100 arrests at Trump Tower and demonstrations outside Federal Plaza Immigration Court. The protests have been marked by anti-Israel sentiments and calls for Khalil’s freedom, with activists rallying across Lower Manhattan.
The NYPD responded to the scene of the vandalism, but the culprits remain at large. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the tensions surrounding Khalil’s arrest and the ongoing protests against perceived injustices. Columbia University’s president’s residence has become a symbol of resistance and dissent in the face of institutional repression.
