On Monday, after nearly two weeks of students creating protest encampments in support of Hamas, the terrorist organization in Gaza, and after hundreds of arrests and exhausted efforts to negotiate, Columbia University administrators gave the demonstrators a deadline to voluntarily vacate their tent city, threatening suspensions. 

As the 2 p.m. deadline came and went, nothing was done to clear the encampments, as protest organizers vowed not to back down, saying they would only be removed by force.

Related:

The NYPD Has Mobilized, but Will Columbia University Ask Them to Clear Encampment As Deadline Expires?

Columbia President Says Talks With Demonstrators Have Failed — OK, Give Police the Go-Ahead to Do the Job

Overnight, the situation escalated when Hamilton Hall was taken over by force with protesters breaking windows, preventing the building's prior occupants from freely leaving (although they were released in short order), and barricading themselves inside while hanging antisemitic "intifada" banners.

After much chaos, bigoted acts and intimidation against Jewish students, and other performative nonsense, the time has come for the NYPD to restore order and peace to the university campus. 

Heavy police presence outside Columbia University. Has the university decided to finally expel the pro-terror mob? pic.twitter.com/fzqNUaGcVH

— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) April 30, 2024

Just after 9 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, hundreds of riot-gear-clad officers stormed the university grounds carrying pepper spray and zip-tie handcuffs. The raid comes after Columbia's administration requested the NYPD come onto the campus and make arrests following the recent escalation in the protester's tactics. 

Chaotic scenes broke out as police and protestors struggled over barricades, and one punk hit a police officer with an empty water jug, resulting in arrest. 

NOW: SRG officers arrest a protester after he hit an officer with an empty water jug

There are probably 200 officers here — organizers ordered people to disperse pic.twitter.com/T6NDxS4Kda

— katie smith (@probablyreadit) May 1, 2024

Reports are circulating that NYPD tactical units are using a "crane" extension ladder to breach the barricaded Hamilton Hall and enter through a window. 

Huge NYPD truck extends drawbridge/crane to window of Columbia Uni’s Hamilton Hall pic.twitter.com/OOqAv2ljVb

— Jessica Le Masurier (@lemasurierjess) May 1, 2024

The Trump Team is calling attention to President Joe Biden's absence as NYPD breaches the building taken over by rioters. 

"WHERE IS THE PRESIDENT OF OUR COUNTRY?": While Joe Biden sleeps, NYPD officers enter Hamilton Hall on the campus of Columbia University where rioters have barricaded the building.

Crooked Joe Biden is MIA. pic.twitter.com/fQyPLOokc2

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) May 1, 2024

Dozens of protestors have begun to be rounded up, arrested, and carried away by NYPD units.

🚨𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 - The NYPD have begun arresting protestors and agitators at Columbia University.

Tactical units have also entered to clear out portions of the campus that have been barricaded. pic.twitter.com/JJb6Q6iM2m

— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) May 1, 2024

A dramatic spectacle unfolds into the night as protestors set off flares. Independent reporter Katie Smith said that the demonstrators outside of the gates are tossing bottles of water to the ones inside campus. 

NOW: Protesters set off more flares at the gates to CCNY

Protesters outside are tossing bottles of water to the protesters inside campus

I’m heading out now but will try and share any updates pic.twitter.com/nIsXnok1Bc

— katie smith (@probablyreadit) May 1, 2024

This is a developing story that RedState will continue to follow.