Activist Cornel West Joins Columbia Gaza Protest

Activist Dr Cornel West addressed pro-Palestine protesters risking arrest on Columbia University’s campus on Thursday, April 18, footage shows.

Pro-Gaza Demonstrators set up tents the previous day as the university’s president, Minouche Shafik, testified before a House committee on issues of antisemitism, student safety, and free speech.

Shafik released a statement on Thursday morning authorizing police to make arrests of the “more than 100 individuals” involved in the encampment.

“The current encampment violates … policies, severely disrupts campus life, and creates a harassing and intimidating environment for many of our students,” the statement reads. Credit: @jayjamonbread via Storyful

Video transcript

- Palestinian occupation and domination and genocide against Jewish brothers and sisters, because we stand on moral ground.

[CHEERING]

Every one of you stand strong. Stand tall.

Stand tall!

[CHEERING]

- Know in the end, with deep love in your heart and a commitment to justice, you stand for the best, not just of Colombia, not just the American empire, and all of its history of repression and domination. You stand for the best of the human spirit.

Palestinian occupation and domination and genocide against Jewish brothers and sisters because we stand on moral ground.

[CHEERING]

- Every one of you, stand strong. Stand tall.

- Stand tall!

[CHEERING]

- Know in the end, with deep love in your heart and a commitment to justice, you stand for the best, not just of Colombia, not just the American empire, and all of its history of repression and domination, you stand for the best of the human spirit.