Negotiations to disband protestors encamped on the campus have failed.
A group of 21 members of the House, led by Representatives Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Dan Goldman of New York, sent a letter to the board of trustees of Columbia University urging school officials to remove the encampment of protestors on campus.
The legislators wrote, “We, the undersigned, write to express our disappointment that, despite promises to do so, Columbia University has not yet disbanded the unauthorized and impermissible encampment of anti-Israel, anti-Jewish activists on campus.”
They continued, “As a result of this disruption on campus, supported by some faculty members, many students have been prevented from safely attending class, the main library, and from leaving their dorm rooms in an apparent violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.”
The representatives added, “Those who violate the law cannot dictate the terms of the University’s ability to comply with that law. It is past time for the University to act decisively, disband the encampment, and ensure the safety and security of all of its students.”
The letter concluded, “The time for negotiation is over; the time for action is now. It is ultimately the responsibility of the Board of Trustees to act. If any Trustees are unwilling to do this, they should resign so that they can be replaced by individuals who will uphold the University’s legal obligations under Title VI.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For discernment for members of Congress as they appeal to higher education officials to ensure adherence to U.S. laws and uphold order.
- For Representatives Gottheimer and Goldman as they seek to prevent antisemitism on American campuses.
- For the safety of Jewish and Israeli students and faculty as they encounter demonstrators.
Sources: Axios, The Hill
