Columbia University locks down campus buildings following overnight protests: 'Effective immediately' --The lockdown came as an unruly mob of anti-Israel protesters broke into Hamilton Hall shortly before 1 a.m. | 30 April 2024 | Columbia University has been forced to close its campus indefinitely after an anti-Israeli war mob broke into an academic building early Tuesday morning. In a statement hours after anti-Israel agitators stormed the iconic Hamilton Hall on the Manhattan campus and barricaded its doors, the university said it would remain closed "until circumstances allow otherwise." "Effective immediately, access to the Morningside campus has been limited to students residing in residential buildings on campus (Carman, Furnald, John Jay, Hartley, Wallach, East Campus and Wien) and employees who provide essential services to campus buildings, labs and residential student life (for example, Dining, Public Safety, and building maintenance staff). There is no additional access to the Morningside campus," a statement from the university said. It added: "This access restriction will remain in place until circumstances allow otherwise."