Columbia thugs’ violent library break-in: Letters to the Editor — May 9, 2025

The Issue: Anti-Israel thugs storming a Columbia University library, injuring two safety officers.

The media need to get real about the so-called pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University and begin calling them what they are: anti-Israel anarchists (“Chaos at Ivy library,” May 8).

If these brazenly disruptive hooligans are truly dedicated to what they consider a noble cause, then they certainly should have the courage to remove their silly face masks.

As for their passé “Free Palestine!” slogan, why not go for broke and shout what’s really buzzing in their brains?

“Kill the Jews,” in my opinion, would be the most obvious choice.

Charles Winokoor

Fall River, Mass.

These are not peaceful protesters, but brain-dead idiots who have no moral compass and no knowledge of history.

J6, as it has been called, was a small incursion that lasted a few hours.

Oct. 7 and the ensuing period have been more of an insurrection.

Where are the Democrats who keep talking about democracy?

Do former President Joe Biden or former Vice President Kamala Harris have anything to say?

It’s time to put an end to this madness.

Sylvia Kane

Brooklyn

Again, protesters are breaking the law by storming the Columbia University library.

They should all be arrested then made to stand trial in court.

It’s about time lawbreakers stop interfering with young people who want to get an education.

No wonder universities are losing federal grants.

Joseph Comperchio

Brooklyn

We need a new tactical approach to dealing with these unrelenting protesters.

It’s time to publicly shame the culprits and hooligans.

They need to be identified with their status as a student or as outside provocateurs. Are they repeating offenders?

Who is funding these instigators?

We need their names printed in the media; their immigration visa status should be exposed.

Enough with hiding behind their masks. When these protesters become known, then and only then, will it impact the situation.

Ronald Frank

West Orange, NJ

The Columbia University pro-Hamas violent trespassers at the library are Joseph Goebbels brown-shirt wannabes and nothing more.

Richard Sherman

Margate, Fla.

The Issue: An interview with author Jason Riley about his new book “The Affirmative Action Myth.”

I found it particularly interesting how Jason Riley traced the arc of improvement in, and then stark slowdown of, black societal advancement and achievement in the mid-20th century (“Special treatment impedes progress,” Kelly Jane Torrance, May 7).

But I don’t think he hits hard enough at a glaring cause of it: the Democratic Party as a whole.

Although Riley focuses on the municipal level of malfeasance, he did not account for the state and national politicians during this period.

They simply take the black vote for granted and then ignore the needs of the community.

As a kid growing up in New York City, working in the South Bronx in the 1980s, I thought: Who speaks for these people?

The answer was: no one.

Warren Nitti

Edgewater, NJ

I love that Jason Riley underscores the importance of attitudes and behaviors impacting unequal outcomes.

Ignoring attitudes and behaviors, and the choices influenced by them, overlooks many of the root causes of unequal outcomes.

Choices have consequences and not all engender equality.

It’s about time we enact some accountability for our own outcomes.

Eileen Corr

Brewster, Mass.

Want to weigh in on today’s stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to [email protected]. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.