James Carlson, a 40-year-old animal rights lawyer, was arrested inside Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall after being under investigation for snatching and setting fire to an Israeli flag near campus. Carlson has a history of run-ins with the law, including arrests at violent protests in San Francisco in 2005 organized by an anarchist group. The New York City police department and mayor have cast Carlson as one of the “professional outsiders” involved in the takeover of Hamilton Hall, along with others who did not have affiliations with Columbia University.
The protests on campus have attracted individuals with a diffuse set of ideologies and motivations, with approximately 30% of those arrested at Hamilton Hall having no connection to the school, according to university officials. While outsiders like Carlson played a role in escalating tactics by occupying the building, the influence they have had on the overall student protest movement at Columbia and nearby colleges remains unclear. Some student protesters believe that the narrative pushed by officials about dangerous outsiders co-opting the demonstrations is a way to justify violence and police brutality.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Columbia University President Minouche Shafik highlighted the prevalence of outsiders after protesters seized Hamilton Hall, leading to a wave of arrests at Columbia and City College of New York. A total of 46 people have been charged with trespassing in connection with the building occupation, with at least 13 having no affiliation with the university. The remaining arrests included Columbia students, graduate students, employees, and outsiders unaffiliated with the school.
The protests at Columbia University saw clashes between students and outsiders, with conflicts arising over barricading doors and accusations of outsiders directing the actions. While some students like Rory Wilson tried to prevent the barricading of Hamilton Hall, others like Lisa Fithian were at the center of the action instructing protesters. Roughly 29% of those arrested at Columbia had no ties to the school, while 60% of those arrested at City College of New York were outsiders.
Carlson has been frequenting protests in the city since the start of Israel’s offensive in Gaza, with his involvement in chaotic incidents near the Columbia campus leading to charges of arson and criminal mischief. Despite his background as an animal rights lawyer and undercover investigator, Carlson has faced previous arrests at demonstrations, including one in San Francisco where he was charged with rioting and resisting arrest. The group of outsiders arrested at City College included individuals with histories of protest-related arrests as well.
Large protests often attract a mix of well-meaning individuals who support various causes, but also those who may have ulterior motives. Outsiders like Carlson and Rudy Ralph Martinez, who have extensive protest-related arrests, can use these demonstrations for other purposes. While protests can serve as a platform for raising awareness and advocating for change, the involvement of outsiders can lead to clashes and conflicts that detract from the overall message of the movement.
