Manhattan’s George Soros-funded District Attorney Alvin Bragg has dropped all charges against dozens of Columbia University students who were arrested during pro-Hamas protests.
The students occupied and barricaded themselves in buildings on the college campus in April.
On Thursday, the anti-Trump Democrat prosecutor dropped all charges.
DA Bragg dropped cases against 30 students and staff members who were arrested during the campus unrest.
In the courtroom, Judge Kevin McGrath announced:
“All these matters are dismissed and sealed in the interest of justice.”
All the protesters were arrested on April 30.
They were taken into custody by NYPD hours after taking over Hamilton Hall, an academic building.
The students and staff members were initially charged with trespass in the third degree, a misdemeanor.
Stephen Millan, a prosecutor in Bragg’s office, said there was insufficient evidence to show that any individual defendant damaged property or injured anyone.
Millan argued that the protesters wore masks and covered surveillance cameras, Reuters reported.
None of the students arrested had any prior criminal history, prosecutors said.
All students were facing disciplinary proceedings, including suspensions and expulsions, by Columbia University.
“The Office is continuing to pursue cases from both campuses, including all assaults against police officers,” the DA’s office said in a statement.
Bragg’s office was referring to Columbia and the City University of New York.
“There are ongoing school disciplinary proceedings for the students who had their case dismissed.”
Columbia University has yet to comment on the dropped cases
The chaotic protests came amid similar demonstrations in which anti-Israel protesters set up illegal encampments on college campuses throughout the country.
The students were protesting against Israel’s right to defend itself against Islamic Hamas terrorists.
The protests intensified after Columbia issued mass suspensions.
Bragg’s office declined to drop the charges against another 13 defendants.
Two of the 13 were Columbia students.
The other 11 had no affiliation with the school.
However, most were alumni of the college.
Their cases would have been dropped if they avoided being arrested over the next six months.
However, they rejected the offer and are scheduled to appear in court on July 25.
The office is bringing charges against James Carlson, who is not affiliated with Columbia, of criminal mischief and arson.
Carlson was arrested for setting an Israeli flag alight prior to the takeover.
He was also charged with damaging a police surveillance camera in jail.
Carlson appeared in court with his attorney.
His lawyer said that they planned to challenge the prosecution.
