Avery Reed, a 2024 graduate of Barnard College (part of Columbia University), holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government and English. As of May 2024, Reed had been working as a research assistant at the Institute of Latin American Studies (ILAS) at Columbia University. She has previously interned at the office of New York State Attorney General Letitia James and served as a fellow for the Biden for President campaign in 2020. Reed’s activism came to public attention during the April 2024 protests against Israel, following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 terror attacks.
Arrest at the Anti-Israel Encampment
On April 18, 2024, Reed was one of 114 protesters arrested by the NYPD for trespassing during the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” at Columbia University. The encampment, organized by Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) along with banned pro-terror organizations such as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), protested Israel’s war against Hamas. The group demanded that Columbia divest from companies allegedly profiting from Israeli policies.
The encampment escalated into a confrontation with law enforcement, with some protesters resisting arrest as the NYPD cleared the site. Reed’s involvement led to her suspension from Columbia along with over 100 others arrested during the protests.
Protest Context
The “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” followed months of planning by CUAD and other anti-Israel organizations. It was forcibly dismantled after protests turned violent, with activists breaking into Columbia’s Hamilton Hall, vandalizing university property, and holding custodians hostage. The protests echoed across other North American campuses, sparking increased tensions between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian student groups.
Current Status
Reed remains a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, continuing her activism while seeking new opportunities in research and paralegal roles. Her arrest and the events surrounding the protest remain a focal point of her public activism.
