A Barnard College student once praised by New York City Mayor Eric Adams for promoting dialogue was among those arrested during a pro-Palestinian occupation of Columbia University’s Butler Library. The incident, which disrupted final exams and injured two security officers, has intensified scrutiny over campus activism and public safety.
Dima Aboukasm, an anthropology student at Barnard College, was arrested alongside 77 others after protesters stormed Butler Library on May 7, 2025. The group, affiliated with Columbia University Apartheid Divest, occupied Reading Room 301, displayed Palestinian flags, and declared the space a “Liberated Zone.” The NYPD intervened at the university’s request, resulting in 78 arrests and two summonses.
Aboukasm had previously been honored by Mayor Adams at the July 2024 “Abate Hate and Hate Violence Summit” at Gracie Mansion. Adams highlighted her friendship with Columbia student Eliana Goldin as an example of productive, peaceful discourse on contentious issues. “Eliana Goldin and Dima Aboukasm are two @Columbia students who have found productive, peaceful ways to discuss political issues they disagree on and maintain a friendship. We can all learn something from their example,” Adams stated at the time.
In response to Aboukasm’s arrest, Adams’s spokeswoman, Kayla Mamelak Altus, affirmed the mayor’s stance: “The mayor’s comments remain accurate—this is a painful conflict, and while healing takes time, we should always try to speak to one another, not past each other. What we can also learn from this example is if you break the law, you will be arrested.”
Columbia University officials condemned the protest, citing disruptions to academic activities and violations of university policies. Acting President Claire Shipman stated, “Disruptions to our academic activities will not be tolerated and are violations of our rules and policies; this is especially unacceptable while our students study and prepare for final exams. Columbia strongly condemns violence on our campus, antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination, some of which we witnessed today. We are resolute that calls for violence or harm have no place at our University.”
The incident has intensified federal attention, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio reviewing the visa status of the protesters. Additionally, the Trump administration’s Task Force to Combat Antisemitism commended Columbia’s response to the occupation.
