Marianne Hirsch, a professor emerita at Columbia University, played a prominent role in the controversial pro-Hamas encampment on Columbia’s campus in April 2024. Her participation included delivering a speech during a press conference at the encampment and publicly aligning herself with its antisemitic activities and rhetoric.

Marianne Hirsch Spoke at the Encampment

On April 23, 2024, Hirsch addressed students and faculty at a press conference held in front of Columbia president Minouche Shafik’s official residence. During her speech, Hirsch lent her voice to the encampment’s demands, which included divestment from Jews and opposition to disciplinary actions against student protesters. A speech that condones, supports, and even asks for a polarization on campus.

Participation in Antisemitic Events

Hirsch was also featured in a photograph from an anti-Israel Passover seder held at the encampment on April 22, 2024. She wore an orange faculty vest, a symbol of solidarity with the student protesters. Her presence at these events highlighted her alignment with the encampment’s agenda, which included calls for actions against Jews and inflammatory rhetoric targeting Jewish students and their safety.

Support for Encampment Actions

Many Columbia faculty and staff members actively took part in the encampment, distinguishable by their bright orange vests with yellow and gray stripes, each labeled with either “FACULTY” or “STAFF.” They organized in various ways to support the student protesters, including forming a “human barricade” to obstruct Jewish students from entering.
The encampment became a focal point of antisemitic activities on campus, with faculty members like Hirsch openly supporting its controversial and problematic actions.