Several hundred NYPD cops stormed onto Columbia University’s campus on Tuesday night to oust a pro-terror mob that illegally took over an academic building amid ongoing anti-Israel protests on campus.
The cops were expected to arrest the group that barged into Hamilton Hall early Tuesday morning in a drastic escalation of the protest at the Ivy League school, according to police sources.
Shortly before entering the Morningside Heights campus, about 100 cops from the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit packed into buses and headed to Columbia in preparation for the university’s call for help, sources told The Post.
Dozens of others wearing riot gear and holding zip-tie handcuffs were seen huddled on the street corner, apparently waiting for the go-ahead.
The NYPD blocked pedestrian and vehicular traffic on 114th Street and Broadway, while spectators chastised them: “Shame, shame, shame!”
As of 8 p.m., the police were only maintaining the perimeter.
Twenty minutes later, Columbia University issued a shelter-in-place for students over “heightened activity” at the Morningside campus — and warned that those who do not abide will be hit with “disciplinary action.”
The university’s Chapter of the American Association of University Professors issued a scathing statement once the officers began mobilizing, accusing Columbia’s administration of ignoring the faculty’s offers to “defuse the situation.”
“We hold University leadership responsible for the disastrous lapses of judgment that have gotten us to this point. The University President, her senior staff, and the Board of Trustees will bear responsibility for any injuries that may occur during any police action on our campus,” the group said.
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban confirmed earlier Tuesday that the department would swoop in if needed, as it had done two weeks earlier when student protesters first set up its mini tent city.
“Once the university acts for our help, the NYPD will be there ready to assist them,” Caban emphasized.
Those arrested inside Hamilton Hall would be charged with third-degree burglary, criminal mischief and trespassing, police officials said.
Others arrested at the South Lawn’s encampment would face charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct.
Meanwhile, NYPD brass revealed Tuesday that the mob of masked agitators who smashed their way into Hamilton Hall in the middle of the night included “professional outside agitators” not affiliated with Columbia or the pro-Palestinian cause.
The group displayed escalation tactics seen in the previous rallies, including dragging metal barricades inside the building, using furniture to block the doors and destroying the property.
“We were well aware, based on a series of observations that what should have been a peaceful protest as part of the constitutional rights of Americans, has clearly been co-opted the right which this administration supports and defends to voice your concern,” Adams said.
The group took over the building — which they dubbed “Hind’s Hall” in honor of Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed in the Middle Eastern conflict — after Columbia University threatened to suspend students who didn’t vacate the encampment they had hunkered down on almost two weeks earlier.
Anti-Israel protesters planted dozens of tents on April 17 in solidarity with the Palestinian people, quickly igniting what has become a trend at elite universities across the Big Apple and the nation.
Hundreds of students — including “Squad” member Rep. Ilhan Omar’s daughter — were arrested and charged with trespassing the following day when the Ivy League called on the NYPD to clear the rabble-rousers from the grounds.
Columbia University even doled out suspensions — which would make senior students ineligible for graduation next month — but the crowds returned within just 24 hours.
The administration tried yet again to force the rowdy students off the property but failed to reign in the disruptive demonstration for several hours.
Busloads were on standby in case the revolt took a turn, but were ultimately not asked to intervene.