Chicago – September 22, 2024
Columbia University’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, started the new school year by apologizing to anti-Israel protesters who were “hurt” by the NYPD during an incident last year. Police were called to clear demonstrators from campus, and some protesters felt mistreated.
In an interview with The Columbia Spectator, Armstrong said, “I know this is tricky for me to say, but I understand the responsibility I have in this role. Please let everyone know who was hurt by that, that I’m incredibly sorry.” Armstrong added, “I know it wasn’t me, but I’m really sorry. I saw it, and I’m really sorry.”
Armstrong took over as interim president last month after Minouche Shafik stepped down following criticism of how she handled violent protests on campus last year. Protests related to the war in Israel spread across colleges nationwide, often sparking concerns about antisemitism and safety for Jewish students. Many students have voiced feeling unsafe amid the rising tensions.
