An outsider-inspired retired teacher finds motivation in Columbia’s protests, Eric Adams labels her an agitator from outside the community

On Tuesday night, police officers cleared an occupied school building and tent encampment at Columbia University, arresting over 100 people. Mayor Eric Adams claimed that “outside agitators” were radicalizing students, including a woman with ties to terrorism. However, the woman, Nahla Al-Arian, was not on campus and has not been accused of any crime. She visited briefly to witness the protest against Israeli airstrikes. Adams suggested that outside influences taught students tactics to evade police, which student organizers deny. The encampment organizers defend including outside members in their movement and condemn attempts to discredit their anti-racism efforts.

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