House Speaker Mike Johnson Speaks At Columbia University, Calls On University President To Resign, New York, United States - 24 Apr 2024

Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson (R) is speaking at Columbia University in New York City, USA, on April 24, 2024, calling for University President Nemat ''Minouche'' Shafik to resign. Amidst loud boos from dozens of student onlookers, Speaker Johnson is delivering a scathing critique of President Shafik's handling of the ongoing pro-Palestine campus protests over the Israel-Gaza War. Pro-Palestine demonstrators are remaining on the main quad of Columbia University with tents and blankets as part of the ''Gaza Solidarity Encampment,'' which began a week ago. Tensions are remaining high on campus days after Columbia University President Shafik called the NYPD onto the college campus on April 18, 2024, to arrest scores of pro-Palestine students who refused to dismantle protest encampments on the main campus quad. The standoff and arrests occurred after President Shafik had faced questions before Congress on campus antisemitism and enforcement of rules against protests. The demonstrators' demands include divestment from Israel in the wake of the ongoing Israel-Gaza War.