NYC In Focus

Apr 30, 2024— by Howard Weiss in Documentary Photography, Photography

Saturday morning at Columbia University held a quiet tension, a stark contrast to the usually bustling campus. Alongside my partner Pamela, I stepped onto the grounds just as the city was waking up, greeted by the unexpected silence of a campus on the brink of action. The day promised unfolding drama, as media access was restricted until the afternoon, signaling a buildup to more visible protests.

After discovering the calm at other universities, which appeared deserted possibly due to many activists attending the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington D.C., Pamela and I returned to Columbia. The situation there was markedly different from earlier in the morning. By this time, the administrative ambiguity was clear—security personnel wandered without clear instructions, and no official staff seemed present to guide or inform the press or protesters.

After a brief wait, we were allowed on campus. Our initial contact was with a young woman who, claiming to be a liaison between the university and the protesters, underscored the day’s restrictive communication policies: no interviews with students, no entering the protest encampment, and strict limitations on photography. The directive was clear—no faces could be captured on film.

Dressed unintentionally in an NYPD hoodie, I drew uneasy glances from students wary of law enforcement. This attire, chosen in haste, turned out to be significant, coloring interactions and highlighting the protesters’ strained relations with authority. Despite these challenges, those who agreed to be photographed did so on the condition of anonymity, discussing their involvement off the record, their identities shielded.

Credit: Howard Weiss

Among the imagery of the day, several visuals stood out. The Israeli flags, fluttering somewhat isolated against a backdrop of Palestinian solidarity movements, painted a stark visual metaphor for the broader geopolitical tensions being mirrored on campus. This contrast was not lost on observers, highlighting the complex layers of conflict and coexistence.

Credit: Howard Weiss

The creative spirit of the protesters also shone through. Amidst the chants and banners, some engaged in quieter acts of expression—crafting what might have been symbolic flowers, a poignant reminder of the human desire for peace and beauty even in times of turmoil.

Credit: Howard Weiss

And then, a lighter moment, almost surreal against the day’s backdrop: students engaged in a mock sword fight with pool noodles under a cascade of cherry blossom petals. It was a brief return to innocence, a stark juxtaposition against the fervor of the protests.

Credit: Howard Weiss

Inside the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, a memorial created by the CJS chapter of the Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association honors the journalists who have died in Israel and Gaza since October 7th. This poignant display serves as a stark reminder of the risks journalists face and the critical role they play in bringing stories to the world.

Credit: Howard Weiss

These snapshots of a day at Columbia—fraught with tension yet brimming with life—offer a glimpse into the complex tapestry of student activism. As these young voices clamor for change, their echoes resonate beyond the confines of their campus, challenging us to reflect on the broader implications of their struggle for justice and peace.

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By Howard Weiss

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