Charges dropped for Columbia students arrested at pro-Palestinian protests
GuardianJUL 1 2024
Charges Dropped for Dozens of Columbia University Protesters
Above: Protesters lock arms after barricading themselves inside Hamilton Hall on April 30, 2024. Image copyright: Alex Kent/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Conservative narrative
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has once again proven he's soft on crime. And, even worse, Columbia's faculty is showing sympathy toward these vandals, who should face prosecution to teach them a lesson. Their defiant post-court press conferences proved they're in dire need of discipline.
Progressive narrative
Considering their lack of criminal histories, it makes sense to drop the criminal charges and allow the university to handle discipline. Columbia and the armed police overreacted to people exercising their First Amendment rights, and these people shouldn't have to be harassed any longer by the criminal justice system.