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More than a dozen anti-ICE agitators hauled away by NYPD near Columbia University

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More than a dozen anti-ICE agitators hauled away by NYPD near Columbia University

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More than a dozen anti-immigration enforcement agitators were arrested Thursday during a demonstration outside Columbia University in New York after allegedly defying orders from the New York City Police Department (NYPD).

A NYPD spokesperson told Fox News Digital 13 agitators had been taken into custody and issued criminal court summons.

It is unclear if the agitators were students or staff affiliated with the university.

The slew of arrests came after police were called to a demonstration near Columbia University at about 1:30 p.m. local time.

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NEWLY RELEASED MAHMOUD KHALIL SPOTTED BACK AT ANTI-ISRAEL PROTEST AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Columbia students, professors and activists held a rally outside the university to demand that the school establish a sanctuary campus. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Officers said agitators were blocking the school’s entrance and refused to leave.

Video showed the agitators wearing black T-shirts that read, “Sanctuary Campus Now” and “ICE Off Campus.”

Multiple orders to disperse were given. The NYPD says the orders were disobeyed roughly 20 minutes.

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NYPD officers arrest agitators who blocked traffic on Broadway as they demonstrate against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Columbia University on Feb. 5, 2026, in New York City.  (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

MAMDANI TELLS TRUMP ADMIN ANTI-ISRAEL ACTIVIST SHOULD ‘REMAIN IN NEW YORK CITY’ AMID DEPORTATION CASE

The agitators were taken into custody. 

In a statement posted to its website, the university said it “supports the right of individuals to peacefully protest,” but noted claims made against Columbia during Thursday’s protest were “factually incorrect.”

“To be clear, the University requires ICE to have a judicial warrant to access non-public areas, such as classrooms, housing, and other areas requiring a Columbia University ID,” university officials wrote. “An administrative warrant is not sufficient to access non-public areas of the University. We have a clear protocol for potential visits from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents, which are publicly available on our website.”

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NYPD officers give final warnings to agitators blocking traffic on Broadway as they demonstrate against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Columbia University on Feb. 5, 2026, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

LAPD ARRESTS VIOLENT AGITATORS AFTER PROTESTS ERUPT OUTSIDE FEDERAL DETENTION CENTER IN LOS ANGELES

“As we made clear repeatedly, no member of Columbia’s leadership or the board of trustees has ever requested the presence of ICE agents on or near campus,” the school added. “This is a false assertion.”

Tensions remain high following the arrest of former Columbia student and anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil in March 2025 at his Manhattan apartment by federal immigration agents.

Khalil, a legal permanent resident, was ordered to be released from detention on June 20, though a federal appeals court in January found U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz of New Jersey lacked “subject-matter jurisdiction” under federal immigration law to halt his deportation.

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Following the ruling, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) claimed the opinion does not take effect immediately and the Trump administration cannot lawfully re-detain Khalil while he has the opportunity to seek immediate review.

Fox News Digital’s Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.

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Connecticut

Advocates pushing to expand bill protecting Connecticut renters

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Advocates pushing to expand bill protecting Connecticut renters


HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — State and local leaders are urging lawmakers to expand a bill protecting renters.

The proposed legislation would expand the “Just Cause” bill, which protects residents over 62 years old and living with a disability, or in public housing, from eviction without cause. 

The expansion would cover new tenants in five-unit buildings after the first year of moving in. They said the goal is to help stabilize housing for thousands of people.

“Your apartment is your home, your apartment is dignity, your apartment is respect, your apartment is access to a local school for your child, knowing where that’s going to be and knowing it’s not going to change on short notice,” Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said. “Knowing you have a little continuity and a little bit of respect. And this bill is about a little bit of respect for the folks who are playing by the rules.”

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The Connecticut Apartment Association said in response: 

“Connecticut needs more housing in more places, and legislators need to focus on bills that will grow more housing for all incomes. Our members will stay at the table with them to craft sustainable responses that ensure accountability and solve Connecticut’s housing crisis.”



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Maine

Campbell seeks Maine House District 107 position as state representative

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Campbell seeks Maine House District 107 position as state representative


By Ed Pierce

Democrat Joseph A. Campbell of Windham will try to unseat incumbent Republican Mark Cooper as State Representative for Maine House District 107 in the general election in November.
Joseph A. Campbell of Windham, a Democrat,
will be a candidate in November for State
Representative in Maine House District 107,
representing part of Windham. He is a 
long-term substitute teacher at 
Gray/New Gloucester High School and a
graduate student at the University of
Maine. SUBMITTED PHOTO    
  

Campbell, a long-term Substitute at Gray/NewGloucester High School and a graduate student at the University of Maine, was a candidate for the Windham Town Council At Large position last fall, a seat eventually won by Katie Cook.

He says that he is running to represent House District 107, representing part of Windham, because he loves Maine and sees it as all our responsibility to make our voices heard in how the state is run.

“As someone navigating the difficult process of settling down, establishing a career, and pursuing higher education, I believe my perspective is representative of many Mainers who don’t normally see themselves in the legislature,” Campbell said. “When elected, I would feel accomplished once I could say that the common-sense goals of owning a home, starting a family, and maybe even retiring someday are more attainable than they were at the start of my term.”

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The most significant issue in the race is the rising cost of housing, he said.

“Skyrocketing housing expenses are hurting the whole spectrum of Windham residents, from renters just trying to get by and save, to seniors struggling to afford their family home,” Campbell said. “We need to find a way to grease the wheels for first time buyers, responsibly build enough for supply to meet demand, and decouple critical services like schools from the local mil rate.”

Along with affordable housing, Campbell says ensuring a solid education system would be another of his priorities if elected.

“Schools, students, and teachers are all struggling, and we need to find a way to ensure kids are getting what they need to learn, while teachers and districts have the energy, professionalism, and resources they need to make that happen,” he said. “We expect a lot from teachers, as we should, and they deserve a proportional level of compensation and respect for the work they do. Additionally, academic excellence is only possible when we’re exposed to diverse thoughts and ideas. We need to give kids books and encourage literacy, banning books is never the right way forward.”

Currently finishing a master’s degree in international and political history at the University of Maine, Campbell says that as a historian, he thinks we have a responsibility as citizens of a democracy to do right by the system that people have fought and died for by making sure that we’re an educated electorate. 

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“Working with the kids at the high school is one small way I like to try and do my part,” he said. “It’s really refreshing to see young people working hard and getting ready to enter the adult world, and I think we owe it to them to make sure that that world is something good. As to why I study history, it’s because I believe that just like we learn from our own mistakes and find inspiration in how far we’ve come as individuals, we can do the same as communities. If you look back 90 years ago, Mainers were able to survive the Great Depression, reject fascism, and would go on to weather World War II. If we could make it through those times, we can figure out how to rein in property taxes, give kids a good education, and do something about folks’ CMP bills. This is all very doable, and I like to think that we can make it easier upon ourselves by paying attention to those who came before us.”

According to Campbell, he enjoys living in Windham and says the parks and trails in the town are great recreational opportunities, specifically Black Brook Preserve and Donnabeth Lippman Park.

“My wife Chelsea and I make sure to get outside for a quick picnic, walk, or hike at least a couple of times a week while we’re lucky enough to have some good weather,” he said. “It’s really heartening to see a place like Windham navigate growth and development, while making absolutely sure to carve out and preserve space for nature.” 

If elected, Campbell says that he’d like to see if legislators could find a way to rely less on local property taxes to get the schools what they need.

“We should work toward more equitable state taxes, focusing on those with the ability to pay, while relieving working and middle-class Mainers who may own a home, but aren’t flush with cash,” Campbell said. “That revenue should go toward the school districts, with the added benefit of making sure that your school’s budget isn’t forever tied to the real estate in town. With a responsible budget, working class Mainers could see their mil rate go down, and wealthy Mainers can know that their tax dollars are going toward their children and grandchildren getting a good education.”

Along with Democrat State Senator incumbent Tim Nangle, Republican State Senate candidate Peter Violette and Republic House 107 incumbent Mark Cooper, Campbell’s campaign is funded by the Maine Clean Elections Act. To support any of these campaigns, nonpartisan $5 contributions may be made at maine.gov/ethics website.

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Massachusetts

The Arc of Massachusetts recognizes Vanna Howard as 2026 Legislator of the Year

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The Arc of Massachusetts recognizes Vanna Howard as 2026 Legislator of the Year


BOSTON — State Sen. Vanna Howard (D-Lowell) was recently recognized as a legislative champion by The Arc of Massachusetts for her advocacy on behalf of members of the autism community.

The award was presented by The Arc of Massachusetts during the 21st annual Autism Advocacy Day on April 8 at the State House. Howard was introduced by constituents Lindsey Gresco and Maxwell Banfield.

“I am truly honored to receive this award,” Howard said. “There are so many deserving individuals who are on the frontlines doing the hard work including teachers, paraprofessionals, caregivers, and therapists. As a state senator, I will never stop advocating for the necessary funding to grow and support the many resources we have available here in the Commonwealth.”

Now in her first term as state senator in the 1st Middlesex District, Howard previously served as state representative for the 17th Middlesex District. From 2021 to 2026, Howard put the work of physically and intellectually disabled individuals at the forefront of her work. In 2025, she was appointed as a member of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities by Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano. Howard was on hand as the commission hosted its latest Meeting the Moment: A Community Conversation and Resource Fair event at UMass Lowell on March 27.

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“We are incredibly proud to honor Senator Vanna Howard for her steadfast dedication and impactful service during her tenure in the House of Representatives,” said The Arc of Massachusetts CEO Maura Sullivan. “By weaving her lived experience as a parent and caregiver into the her policy work, she has served as a powerful voice for our community. We are thrilled to recognize her achievements as she carries this vital advocacy into her new chapter in the Senate.”

In addition to Howard, state Sen. Paul Feeney was also recognized as a 2026 Legislator of the Year. Jeremy Spittle, the legislative director for Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, also received The Arc’s first-ever Distinguished Staff Champion award.

The mission of The Arc of Massachusetts is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism and their families.  For two decades, Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts has been a fierce public voice and a powerhouse of legislative change. Established in 2004, AFAM has grown over the years and its membership has always included the leading autism advocacy or service organizations in Massachusetts. AFAM’s history has been inextricably linked with The Arc of Massachusetts, operating as its dedicated division to mobilize and advocate for individuals with autism, their families, and professionals who provide essential supports and services.

The 1st Middlesex Senate District includes Lowell, Dracut, Dunstable, Pepperell and Tyngsboro.

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