2024-05-01 20:52:00
In an appearance on “CBS Mornings” on Wednesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said police have identified organizations and individuals who are not college students but professional rioters.
“When I became aware of the outside agitators who were part of this operation, as Columbia mentioned in their letter and their request with the New York City Police Department, it was clear that we had to take appropriate action when our intelligence division identified those who are professionals, well trained,” said Adams.
Adams and the NYPD made similar claims before the arrests that the protest was co-opted by outside rioters, but did not provide specific evidence to support that claim. While people involved in the Columbia demonstrations acknowledge that some people who are not part of the college community participated, they strongly dispute the idea that outsiders managed or unduly influenced the protests.
Pointing to protesters who broke into Hamilton Hall at Columbia University, Adams said some of the tactics and methods have been used around the world.
“And we understood how really dangerous this situation had become,” Adams said, noting that they made sure to use a minimum amount of force to “eradicate the problem” at City University of New York and Columbia.
When there was an analysis of those arrested, Adams said that a significant number of them would not be City University of New York or Columbia students.
Adams said he understands the power of protests, but they need to make sure they don’t turn violent. Breaking into Hamilton Hall wasn’t protesting, “it was committing a crime,” he said.
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