Yesterday I described some of the changes that Columbia University had agreed to make in an attempt to get the Trump administration to restore $400 million in federal funding which was pulled from the school a couple weeks ago. I highlighted one change in particular as a problem for pro-Hamas protesters.

The no masks rule could be especially problematic to the pro-Hamas extremists who have been running amok on campus. Like Antifa, CUAD (the coalition of groups organizing the protests) has used face covering to avoid accountability for actions which violate school rules or break the law. If students had to protest without the masks they might be less likely to take extreme actions that could result in suspension or expulsion.

The mask ban sounded good but by yesterday afternoon it was being put to the test. CUAD had announced a walkout Monday and specifically encouraged people to "mask up." A group of protesters did gather and many were wearing masks, but it seemed the school was not enforcing the ban.

Welcome back from spring break @Columbia. Despite erroneous reports of a “mask ban” and “capitulation”, protests (with masks!) are continuing, an unapproved banner is hanging off of Dodge Hall, and no protestors have been asked to identify themselves. Capitulation in name only. pic.twitter.com/aIhZKt2ufX

— Columbia Jewish & Israeli Students ✡️