Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar, found herself in a housing crisis after being suspended from Columbia University’s Barnard College for participating in pro-Palestinian protests.
The suspension came amidst ongoing demonstrations on Columbia’s campus, where hundreds of students have gathered to voice their opposition to the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Hirsi, along with over 100 other students, was arrested and charged with trespassing during the protests. The suspension from Barnard not only cut off her access to campus facilities but also left her without a place to stay.
Recounting the moment she learned of her suspension, Hirsi described feeling “basically evicted” and expressed concern about where she would spend the night.
Following the arrests, Hirsi spent seven hours in police custody before being charged and released. However, her immediate worry was finding accommodation for the night, as she was effectively barred from entering campus during her suspension.
Despite her ordeal, she highlighted the unequal treatment faced by Barnard students compared to their counterparts at Columbia University.
With her access to campus facilities revoked, Hirsi also faced challenges in accessing food. She raised concerns about the lack of support from the university regarding meal arrangements, highlighting the disparity between Barnard and Columbia students in terms of dining hall access.
Hirsi criticized Barnard’s handling of the situation, describing it as a “very egregious stand” against protesting students. The suspension and subsequent housing crisis come amidst a wave of similar protests at universities nationwide, inspired by the actions of Columbia students.
The protests have garnered attention from political leaders, with the Biden administration denouncing them as “blatantly antisemitic” and condemning calls for violence. However, protest leaders argue that the demonstrations are not antisemitic and have criticized media coverage for misrepresentation.
The suspension has left Hirsi uncertain about her future and highlights broader issues surrounding freedom of expression and student activism on college campuses.