Johannah King-Slutzky, an individual protesting against Israel, was seemingly unfazed when reporters questioned her about the “humanitarian aid” she sought for the occupiers of a building on Columbia University’s campus. The protesters took control of Hamilton Hall, an administrative building at the prestigious Ivy League institution, early on Monday morning. At one point, they even prevented a worker from leaving the building while demanding that the university refrain from taking action against them and sever financial ties with Israel. During a press conference on Tuesday, King-Slutzky, as identified by journalist Jordan Schachtel in a post on X, discussed the occupiers’ requests.
“First of all, we’re saying that they’re obligated to provide food for students who paid for a meal plan here,” King-Slutzky said.
A reporter then asked about the logistics behind food and water, to which the protester responded “To allow it to be brought in,” King-Slutzky responded. “I guess it’s ultimately a question of what kind of community and obligation Columbia feels it has to its students. Do you want students to die of dehydration and starvation or get severely ill if they disagree with you? If the answer is no, then you should allow basic… I mean, it’s crazy to say because this is an Ivy League campus, but this is basic humanitarian aid we’re asking for, like could people please have a glass of water?”
“But they put themselves into that deliberately in that situation and position,” a reporter said.
“No one is asking for anything,” she claimed. “We’re asking them to not violently stop us from bringing in basic humanitarian aid.”
Watch the unbelievable exchange below:
Columbia students occupying Hamilton Hall are demanding the university provide them food so they can continue their occupation:
"This is basic humanitarian necessities we’re asking for." pic.twitter.com/Njg20hpMoc
— Katie Daviscourt (@KatieDaviscourt) April 30, 2024