Columbia Social Workers 4 Palestine organized a Wednesday teach-in and discussion titled “Significance of the October 7th Palestinian Counteroffensive” in the lobby of the Social Work Building on Wednesday. The event, which was originally planned to be held inside a classroom, had previously been canceled by the School of Social Work administration following online backlash.

At a school largely devoid of spirit, where traditions easily slip from institutional memory, Tree Lighting is arguably the event of the year. Organized by all four undergraduate student councils and open to all affiliates, hundreds gather annually on Low Plaza and College Walk to ring in the long New York nights with a cappella performances, merch giveaways, and hot cocoa.

About 100 faculty and graduate workers gathered on Low Steps on Wednesday to rally in support of academic freedom and free speech on campus following the University’s suspension of the Columbia chapters of Jewish Voice for Peace and Students for Justice in Palestine.