New York House Republicans are demanding that Columbia University President Minouche Shafik resign from her position as pro-Palestinian protests erupt on the campus ahead of Passover, a Jewish holiday.
House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R‑NY) led a letter sent to Shafik on Monday saying the president should step down “for failing to put an end to an unsanctioned mob of students and agitators” involved in antisemitic incidents and calls for violence against Jewish students.
The letter comes after clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrators led to calls to protect Jewish students from several local and federal lawmakers and political figures. A Columbia University rabbi encouraged Jewish students to go home because the school could not guarantee the safety of the students. Shafik announced a shift to virtual classes on Monday, the beginning of Passover, due to the high levels of campus unrest.
Police in riot gear stand guard as demonstrators …