Transcript: Mayor Adams Briefs Media on Recent Protests at Columbia University With NYPD Commissioner Caban

April 18, 2024

Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you so much. I really want to thank the men and women in the New York City Police Department. Good afternoon to all of you. 
We want to give you an update on the protest that has been taking place at Columbia University. More than 100 protesters occupied Columbia's South Lawn for over 30 hours. This was in violation of the university's rules. Columbia University has an obligation to protect its students, and the university president reached out to the NYPD in writing and asked for support. 

After numerous warnings, campus security and the NYPD issued to the students and those who are occupying the space, NYPD officers moved in to ensure the safety of the campus, students, and the staff. They made more than 108 arrests, and the NYPD ensured that there was no violence or injuries during the disturbance. 
Columbia University's students have a proud history of protest and raising their voices. Students have a right to free speech, but do not have the right to violate university policies and disrupt learning on campus. I know the conflict in the Middle East has left many of us grieving and angry. This is a painful moment for our city, for our country, and for the globe. New Yorkers have every right to express their sorry, but that heartbreak does not give you the right to harass others, to spread hate. 

I urge everyone who is protesting to please, please do so peacefully and respectfully, because we will not be in a city of lawlessness. In this moment of heightened tension around the globe, we stand united against hate. I now turn it over to the commissioner, Police Commissioner Edward Caban. 

Police Commissioner Edward Caban: Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor. Good evening, everyone. Earlier today, Columbia University notified the NYPD that a group of students who were occupying the South Lawn of the university's campus were in violation of numerous university rules, had been suspended, and were trespassing. The university requested that NYPD respond to the campus and intervene if necessary. The Police Department then sent resources to Columbia, per the university's request, and were brought onto the campus. 

After numerous warnings were given, and attempts made to disperse the crowd, the individuals still refused to leave. At that point, based on the university's wishes to clear the South Lawn, which again, is university property, arrests were made for trespass. These arrests were made without incident. We will now let the rest of the criminal justice system run its course. And some of our executives who are also on the scene can provide further details if necessary. Thank you.

Question: Commissioner, what charge, what are the students charged for, the 108? And was Representative Ilhan Omar’s daughter one of those arrested?

Captain Jaclyn Keane, Legal Bureau, Police Department: Hi, out of the 108, it was summonses for trespass, and two of them got trespass summonses as well as OGI, which is obstruction of governmental administration. 

Question: [Inaudible.]

Captain Keane: Yes, her daughter was arrested. 

Question: [Inaudible.]

Captain Keane: She was also charged with trespass. She will be getting a summons.

Question: Jackie, sorry, can you say that one more time? [Inaudible].

Captain Keane: It was a summons for trespass, and then two got the trespass as well as the charge of obstruction of governmental administration. 

Question: So no DATs, no one for resisting [inaudible]?

Captain Keane: The two that have the OGAs are getting DATs. And no one’s being put through.

Question: Hi, I don't know if someone could elaborate. I know there were… Columbia requested the police, and there was what I think Chief Daughtry said was a clear and present danger. Beyond the trespassing, was there any other, was there any weapon or any other kind violence or was it clear and present danger? That, and additionally, I know the mayor, you said you called for peaceful protest. I think some people would say a sit in is some sort of a peaceful protest. I don't know if you want to discuss that.

Mayor Adams: A peaceful protest is not in violation of city laws or the violation of those who have property, own private property, such as Columbia University. And when you violate specific laws, you're no longer protesting within the authority to do so. 

Question: And so beyond that, other than the trespassing, and I know there were two for the obstructing governmental administration, there wasn't any other kind of present danger?

Chief John Chell, Chief of Patrol, Police Department: No, let's put it on the record. The clear and present danger is language used by Columbia University in their letter to us. That was not our words it was their words.

Question: For the mayor. Just seeing a little bit of the rhetoric, I know the NYPD went out there and they were able to peacefully get everything under control, but there were some students that were really saying some vile things to the officers. I know you've been on the force in the past too. I'm sure that's pretty disheartening coming from college students. What do you have to say about some of that rhetoric from campus?

Mayor Adams: It's very troubling. When you are protesting for peace, you should not be using inflammatory comments like you saw. It was very vile, some of the comments that were made. Our institutions, I believe, should use this moment as a teaching moment. But what happened when our officers were surrounded and some of these terminologies that were used, it is in really contrast to saying we want to bring about a peaceful resolution or expression of our concerns here in the city. Using hateful terms that were used is not a reflection of standing up for what one believes they're fighting for. 

Question: Sorry, just to elaborate on that, Mr. Adams, what she had asked. This is the [inaudible] that you were referring to?

Mayor Adams: Yes. 

Question: Anything that you can say that was said specifically?

Chief Chell: So let me put this in perspective, the students that were arrested were peaceful, offered no resistance whatsoever, just saying what they wanted to say in a peaceful manner. What occurred was about 500 students left their classrooms, surround the quad, telling us we're the KKK, we should go kill ourselves, we're baby killers, and everything else you can imagine. It was very sad to see but our officers were professional, as you saw in the video. They did their job calmly, no incidents, and we took care of the situation.

Question: What is the NYPD's plan for the rest of this semester as these students say they're going to continue to protest?

Chief Jeffrey Maddrey, Chief of Department, Police Department: Again, the NYPD respects people's rights to protest. And we’ll work closely with the university and we'll be guided by their policies. It is private property. They will tell us when the rules are being violated. I think Columbia did try to work with the students. They gave them ample time to protest and asked them to leave. They're out there for many hours before they asked us to come and help out. But we'll be guided by the school. We'll work closely with them.

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