New York City Mayor Eric Adams' administration is supporting the reopening of a public walkway through Columbia University's campus, reversing a previous stance that sided with the university's closure of the grounds amid pro-Palestine protests.
The city's shift in position could impact the legal battle over Columbia University's campus access and signals a potential change in how public institutions balance safety concerns with public accessibility.
New York City's administration, under Mayor Eric Adams, is now supporting the reopening of a public walkway through Columbia University's campus. The university had restricted public access to its Morningside Heights campus in late October 2023, citing concerns about outside agitators participating in large-scale encampments protesting Israel's military campaign in Gaza. This closure prompted a lawsuit from Manhattan residents who alleged the restrictions violated an easement requiring public accessibility.
Previously, former Mayor Eric Adams had supported Columbia's decision on public safety grounds. However, in a court filing on Thursday, Rachel Moston, an attorney in Mayor Adams' Law Department, stated that the city now supports reopening the walkway. This reversal was met with approval from City Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu, who represents the area. Abreu criticized Columbia for closing its campus while benefiting from city tax breaks and stated that the closed gates represent a betrayal of the institution's expected spirit of openness.