The protest at Columbia University led by pro-Palestinian students took a surprising turn when a 63-year-old activist named Lisa Fithian was identified as giving orders and directing the protesters. Fithian, described by the NYPD as a “professional agitator,” has a long history of activism and participation in demonstrations for various causes, including disrupting the World Trade Organization’s first major meeting and supporting communities in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Despite her past involvement in high-profile protests, Fithian denied organizing the Columbia University protests when approached by the media.
The takeover of Hamilton Hall by the protesters marked a significant escalation in their demands for Columbia University to divest from corporations profiting from the conflict in Gaza. Both New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Columbia University President Nemat Shafik pointed fingers at outside actors with no affiliation to the school, blaming them for the incident. Fithian is the only outsider identified by officials as playing a role in the building seizure but was not among the approximately 50 people arrested when police officers intervened.
Fithian’s role in the occupation of Hamilton Hall remains unclear, with New York Police officials suggesting she might have been involved in training the protesters in the tactics they used during the takeover. Despite her denial of organizing the protests, video footage released by the NYPD shows Fithian giving orders to protesters and directing them in their actions. This has led to questions about her involvement and influence over the protest movement at Columbia University, where a total of 280 people were arrested after police intervention.
Supporters of the student-led protest movement at Columbia have rejected the idea that outsiders were orchestrating their actions. Despite this, the involvement of individuals like Fithian has raised concerns about the direction and control of the protests. Fithian’s history as a nonviolent direct action trainer and her reputation as a seasoned activist have attracted attention from various media outlets over the years, documenting her participation in protests for social justice causes.
Fithian’s activism has taken her around the world, from Tahrir Square to the US and Women’s Boats to Gaza, where she has been involved in various campaigns and demonstrations. While she has a long history of arrests for her activism, Fithian has remained committed to nonviolent tactics in her quest for social change. The controversial involvement of outsiders like Fithian in the Columbia University protests has raised questions about the nature of protest movements and the influence of external actors on student-led initiatives.
As the fallout from the Columbia University protests continues, questions remain about the extent of Fithian’s involvement and the impact of outside actors on the student-led movement. While Fithian has denied organizing the protests, her presence and actions have drawn attention to the tactics and strategies employed by activists in their push for divestment from companies profiting from the conflict in Gaza. The incident at Columbia University highlights the complex dynamics at play in protest movements, where seasoned activists like Fithian can influence and guide the actions of students demanding social change.
