In a move that should surprise absolutely no one, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office has decided to drop charges against most of the protesters arrested during recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University. This decision follows the arrest of over 600 individuals across various New York City university campuses from mid-April to early May, where students were protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza. Apparently, Bragg’s office believes that the court system would be “overwhelmed” by processing these cases.
It’s almost as if there’s selective prosecution in NYC based on political considerations.
Manhattan DA Drops Charges Against 30 Columbia Protesters Arrested Over Campus Building Occupation https://t.co/7plpRX597U
— Ben Hunt (@EpsilonTheory) June 21, 2024
The demonstrators at Columbia University were primarily slapped with charges like trespassing, obstructing governmental administration, and other low-level offenses. But, of course, Bragg decided these charges weren’t worth pursuing, effectively giving the green light to future lawlessness. Critics argue that this move undermines the seriousness of the offenses, especially since some protests included acts of vandalism and hate crimes. But hey, when has Bragg ever been concerned with upholding the law?
Columbia University President Nemat Minouche Shafik justified involving the NYPD, pointing out that the protests had escalated to a dangerous level, posing threats to both students and the protesters themselves. However, Bragg’s decision has sparked a fierce debate, with supporters of the protesters claiming the NYPD’s involvement was merely a tactic to intimidate students and suppress free speech. It seems the playbook of victimhood is always ready for a quick grab.
Zach Samalin, an assistant professor at Columbia and one of the arrested protesters, expressed relief over the dropped charges but remained critical of the university and NYPD’s actions during the protests. Isn’t it convenient how those who break the law are quick to play the victim when facing consequences?
The protests at Columbia are part of a larger wave of demonstrations at other campuses, including New York University (NYU) and City University of New York (CUNY). The NYPD’s handling of these protests has come under scrutiny, with accusations of discriminatory practices and excessive force. Of course, those defending the protesters are quick to ignore the fact that law enforcement officers were merely doing their jobs in maintaining order and safety.
Trash a university and threaten Jews and get off Scott free…BUT if the DA hates you, he can dig up an expired bookkeeping misdemeanor, turn it into 34 felonies, find a biased judge to misinform the jury, and interfere with your free speech. Travesty. https://t.co/exd6qvPBK2
— David Asman (@DavidAsmanfox) June 21, 2024
As the saga continues, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact future protests and the relationship between university administrations and their student bodies. For now, Bragg’s move to drop charges sends a clear message: breaking the law on college campuses will be met with little more than a slap on the wrist. This is just another chapter in the ongoing discourse around protest rights and the role of law enforcement on college campuses, and it is one that should concern anyone who values law and order.
So, what’s next? Will we see an escalation in these so-called “peaceful” protests now that the DA has set a precedent for leniency? Only time will tell, but don’t hold your breath waiting for Alvin Bragg to start taking his job seriously anytime soon.
