Socialist students 'disrupt’ campus...even after school bows to their demands

Columbia University students hosted on-campus protests, even after the school bowed to many of their tuition demands.

As acknowledged in a statement from Columbia’s Young Democratic Socialists of America chapter, the university’s first round of concessions “would not have happened without the pressure student strikers have put on the administration.” 

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Accordingly, organizers hosted a press conference outside the home of Columbia President Lee Bollinger, and hundreds of students hosted a “socially-distanced rally” on Sunday. The group was New York City mayoral candidate Dianne Morales and City Council candidate Maria Ordoñez. 

During that rally, students displayed a banner that read “Education for all.” One self-identified lamented how she graduated from Columbia Law School with $100,000 in debt. Others at the rally chanted at one point “student debt is violence.” 

@TahanieNYC: “Tuition should be free. We should not force people to choose between food on the table and an education...we shouldn’t force our children to make our parents give up retirement and work long hours just to be in debt, chose between owning a home and having a degree.” pic.twitter.com/8Jt6QmFJwc

— Columbia YDSA Tuition Strike (@columbiaydsa) January 17, 2021

@fernandezmdla: “La dueda estudiantil es un crimen!...Student debt is violence!” pic.twitter.com/XS9rQJkr49

— Columbia YDSA Tuition Strike (@columbiaydsa) January 17, 2021

On Friday, the students are set to host a “sit-in to disrupt campus activities until our demands are met.” Citing a study claiming that Black Lives Matter protests last summer did not significantly spread COVID-19, the group alleged that their events would be safe.

Campus Reform recently reported that Columbia administrators conceded to demands from the Young Democratic Socialists of America after thousands of students threatened to withhold their spring tuition payments.

Ahead of the planned demonstrations, the Young Democratic Socialists of America told Campus Reform that they had not received communications from the university.

[RELATED: Columbia increases financial aid amid protest from Young Democratic Socialists of America]

Among the demands were an increase in financial aid by 10 percent, a reduction in the cost of attendance by 10 percent, financial aid for summer classes, and forgiven late fees for unpaid bills.

The Young Democratic Socialists of America tossed in demands for Columbia to divest from fossil fuels, bargain with unions and address 

Campus Reform contacted Columbia University; this article will be updated accordingly.

Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @BenZeisloft