Representative Ilhan Omar’s (D-MN) daughter, Isra Hirsi, has been suspended from Barnard College after engaging in an anti-Israel protest.
Hirsi, 21, wrote on X that she was one of three students suspended from the college after “standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide.”
“I’m an organizer with CU Apartheid Divest @ColumbiaSJP, in my 3 years at @BarnardCollege i have never been reprimanded or received any disciplinary warnings,” she wrote. “i just received notice that i am 1 of 3 students suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide.”
“Those of us in Gaza Solidarity Encampment will not be intimidated. we will stand resolute until our demands are met,” Hirsi continued. “our demands include divestment from companies complicit in genocide, transparency of @Columbia’s investments and FULL amnesty for all students facing repression.”
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik wrote a letter to the New York Police Department’s deputy commissioner regarding the protest.
“I write with regard to the encampment on Columbia University’s campus that began before dawn on the morning of Wednesday April 17, 2024. As discussed, more than 100 individuals are currently occupying the South Lawn of Columbia University’s Morningside Heights campus. This group has been informed numerous times and in writing that they are not permitted to occupy this space, are in violation of the University’s rules and policies and must disperse. All University students participating in the encampment have been informed they are suspended. At this time, the participants in the encampment are not authorized to be on University property and are trespassing.”
“The actions of these individuals are in violation of University rules and policies, including that they have interfered with the operation of the University, refused to identify themselves, refused to disperse, set up tents on campus space, failed to comply with policies, and damaged campus property,” Shafik continued.
Shafik then asked the NYPD to assist in removing the protesters.
Omar wrote on X that she stood in “solidarity” with the protesters.
“Columbia has always had an incredible history of students fighting for a more just world and it’s good to see that tradition continue. As NYPD surrounds young activists, I hope their concerns are heard by school administrators and they not be criminalized. In solidarity.”
Columbia University told Fox News Digital that students who participated in the “unauthorized encampment are suspended.”
“We are continuing to identify them and will be sending out formal notifications,” the university said.
