Ilhan Omar’s daughter alleges protesters exposed to ‘chemical weapons’ at Columbia demonstration
Isra Hirsi, Rep. Ilhan Omar’s daughter, claimed protesters faced ‘chemical weapons’ at Columbia University during pro-Palestinian protests. Over 100 students, including Hirsi, were arrested amid accusations of antisemitism, leading Hirsi to criticize the university’s treatment of anti-Israel demonstrators as hypocritical. Hirsi spoke on MSNBC regarding efforts to have her and others arrested for supporting Gaza.
Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), said she and other pro-Palestinian protesters were sprayed with “chemical weapons” while protesting the Israel-Hamas war on Columbia University’s campus last week.
Hirsi and more than 100 other students were arrested last week for their participation in the protests, with accusations that some protesters were pushing antisemitic rhetoric. However, Hirsi took to MSNBC on Monday to claim the university’s treatment of her and other anti-Israel protesters was hypocritical.
“It’s 100% targeted.” Daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar, Barnard student Isra Hirsi, speaks out about the efforts to have her arrested and suspended for protesting in support of Gaza. pic.twitter.com/izy18NuUMf
— AYMAN (@AymanMSNBC) April 21, 2024
“This is 100% targeted,” Hirsi said. “Every single protest that we have, there’s a group of counterprotesters that bring all of their items, their flags, and things like that. And they’re not seen as having unsanctioned protests or really receiving the kind of disciplinary warnings that many of our fellow organizers receive just for being seen at these protests.”
Hirsi went on to allege that she and other pro-Palestinian protesters were “sprayed with the chemical weapons,” likely alluding to an accusation made against another student who was ultimately suspended by Columbia University.
But according to a lawsuit the student filed against Columbia, he hadn’t dispersed a chemical weapon but rather a gag gift known as “Liquid Ass” during a pro-Palestinian rally. The lawsuit claims the action was a “harmless expression of speech” and asserted that the university “rushed to silence Plaintiff and brand him as a criminal” through “biased misconduct proceedings.”
Last week, the university authorized New York Police Department officers to break up the protests and arrest students. In addition to being arrested, Hirsi was suspended from neighboring Barnard College, cutting off her access to her dining plan for meals and her dormitory.
Tuesday marks the seventh day of protests on Columbia’s campus, with hundreds of students taking over the center of campus.
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For the rest of the semester, classes will be on a hybrid schedule.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Columbia University for a comment.
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