A group of about ten students at Columbia University held a peaceful protest on the front steps of Lowe Library late Sunday night. The protest was led by No Red Tape Columbia, a student group that takes stands against sexual violence on campus. Protesters held banners reading, “Columbia protects rapists” while projecting similar slogans on the front of the library.
What I didn't know when I came to days on campus one year ago pic.twitter.com/s2RndCs5iI
— caro (@clserdaigle) April 13, 2015
According to social media accounts, during the protest, a Columbia administrator, who did not identify herself, attempted to disband the protest by standing in front of the projector.
Columbia employee blocks projector, literally silencing our message & threatens to punish survivors and activists. pic.twitter.com/geTaAwoQyY
— No Red Tape Columbia (@NoRedTapeCU) April 13, 2015
Sergeant Liles, a Columbia University Public Safety employee, confirmed that there was an administrator present, but did not know what actions the administrator took.
"We have an army of public safety officers." -Columbia employee in response to peaceful protest
— No Red Tape Columbia (@NoRedTapeCU) April 13, 2015
Despite the columbia employee previously threatening "an army" of public safety officers, officers themselves seem to have no problem
— caro (@clserdaigle) April 13, 2015
“I know it was a peaceful event, and it disbanded on its own,” he said. Liles said there was only one or two Columbia University Public Safety officers present at the event.
NRT now using a projector that was previously blocked by pub safety to display "Columbia has a rape problem" pic.twitter.com/Um9QxzYhca
— Bwog (@bwog) April 13, 2015
The protest falls on prospective student weekend, when accepted students tour campus before making a decision to enroll on May 1.
