On Wednesday, former State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick stood in front of Columbia University to condemn the out of control protests at Columbia University that have left Jewish students at the University feeling unsafe and unwelcome on campus. Columbia’s president recently announced that all classes are being moved online for the rest of the University’s semester, essentially conceding that the University could not keep their student body safe on campus.
“Everyone has the right to protest, but no one has the right to threaten, harass or intimidate people,” said former State Senator and current candidate for State Senate Elijah Reichlin-Melnick. “Yet over the past few weeks, people around the country have watched as the protests inside and outside Columbia’s gates have created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation for many Jewish students. This is unacceptable, and it would never be tolerated if the targets were any other minority group. I call on Columbia’s president and all university presidents to take the necessary steps to ensure their campuses remain open, safe, and welcoming for all students.”
Reichlin-Melnick has consistently taken a strong stance in support of Israel and against rising anti-Semitism since the terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023.