‘The Squad’ slams Columbia for suspending Ilhan Omar’s daughter as pro-Palestine protests return

Members of “The Squad” have hit out at Columbia University in New York after the daughter of one of its original members was suspended following a pro-Palestine protest on the campus.

On Thursday New York police arrested more than 100 demonstrators from Columbia and Barnard College, including Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar. The protest camp was dismantled by authorities but has since been rebuilt.

Ms Omar was one of the first four members of “The Squad” – a group of nine individuals known for being among the most progressive and left-wing members of Congress – alongside Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida.

Following news of the arrests, Ms Hirsi posted online that despite having no previous disciplinary record at Columbia in three years of study, she was one of three students who were suspended over the protests.

Ms Hirsi, an organiser for Columbia University’s Apartheid Divest group, wrote on X: “In my 3 years at @BarnardCollege I have never been reprimanded or received any disciplinary warnings.

“I just received notice that I am 1 of 3 students suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide.”

She continued: “Those of us in Gaza Solidarity Encampment will not be intimidated. We will stand resolute until our demands are met.

“Our demands include divestment from companies complicit in genocide, transparency of @Columbia’s investments and FULL amnesty for all students facing repression.”

Police said 108 people, including Ms Hirsi, were charged with trespassing at the private Ivy League institution. Two people were also charged with obstructing government administration.

Responding to Hirsi’s post, Ms Ocasio-Cortez wrote: “What is going on here