(TJV NEWS) Dozens of students appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court Wednesday after taking over Columbia University’s Butler Library during a pro-Palestinian protest. As The Washington Free Beacon reports, 56 defendants were arraigned for third-degree trespassing. Many wore keffiyehs and displayed signs of support for Hamas.

Some students arrived with their parents. Ramona Sarsgaard, daughter of actors Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard, was among them. Dima Aboukasm, once praised by Mayor Eric Adams as a peace activist, also appeared in court.

Defense Lawyer Blames Israel, Requests Dismissal

Defense attorney Matthew Daloisio, who previously defended protesters arrested at Columbia in 2024, represented the group. He argued that the students only held a “teach-in” and called Israel’s actions “genocide.” He asked the judge to dismiss the charges, or at least delay the case to review evidence from the Manhattan District Attorney.

Legal expert Jason Goldman told the Free Beacon that this strategy may lead to the case being dropped, similar to 2024’s mass dismissal.

“Bragg dropped the charges last time. I think he’ll do it again,” said Goldman.

Violence and Disruption Sparked Arrests

The protest resulted in 81 arrests and left two campus security guards injured. Protesters handed out pro-Hamas materials during finals week. Some defendants appeared angry in court. One told a reporter, “You are a loser, go away.” Another added, “Piece of shit.”

Some students wore masks and other protest symbols. Others used the court time to read books like The Assassination of Lumumba or The Wretched of the Earth.

One student’s mother told the Free Beacon, “I’ve been waiting here an hour and you’re not going in before me.”

Dismissals Could Be Coming

All students were given desk appearance tickets, a sign that the charges are low-level. Goldman said many students seemed unconcerned, and he believes they won’t face real penalties.

“They’ll likely walk away with no criminal record,” he said.

In fact, one student, Dalia Darazim, had her case thrown out after receiving a court notice for the wrong borough.

Former journalist Jason Kao, also charged, was not present. His court date is set for July 23, along with 20 others.