If you enjoy my work and want to help me continue to provide live, comprehensive, & independent (and free!) coverage of protests, you can support me in a variety of ways: patreon.com/probablyreadit paypal.me/katiesmith1029 Venmo: Katie-Smith87 ko-fi.com/probablyreadit 🩷

I want to share my perspective on some of the recent claims surrounding my journalistic integrity. I do not make my personal beliefs central to my work. I simply report on what is happening. Other journalists choose to cover things differently, incorporating commentary into their coverage — we all have different approaches and opinions and that ultimately leads to better, more comprehensive, and accurate coverage as a whole. I, like many other journalists who cover protests of all kinds, choose to license my footage to news outlets of all different types and ideological leanings, something which has never been an issue until now. However, in doing so I always try and keep in mind how my footage could potentially be used to promote misinformation and in the past have decided not to license footage because there was a high likelihood it would be taken out of context. To me, ethical journalism demands a commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and the public interest, rather than personal or political biases. I always welcome constructive criticism and engaging in open dialogue, as that is what enables us to grow and learn. However, making inflammatory, one-sided public posts rather than trying to actually engage in a productive dialogue does nothing besides further divide people and promote hate, as evidenced by the fact that I have received numerous threats of violence against both myself and my family in the past 24 hours. To those who have supported me and continue to support me, thank you ❤️

A view of the new ‘Revolt 4 Rafah’ solidarity encampment on the lawn at Columbia from Low Steps, where lunch is being served for alumni

Organizers of the ‘Revolt 4 Rafah’ solidarity encampment at Columbia will be having a press conference on the lawn at 2pm today, although due to the campus being shut down to non-CUID holders it may take place outside the gates

Columbia alumni receive a welcome bag with information about donations and gift planning Meanwhile, students in the ‘Revolt 4 Rafah’ encampment are calling on alumni to withhold donations until the university agrees to divestment

NOW: A Columbia alum yells at students in the encampment, asking whether they had to get stitches due to being injured by police One student responds that their friend had to get 8 stitches and the man retorts that he had to get 12 stitches after the 1968 protests

NOW: Columbia University alumni stop to look at the new ‘Revolt 4 Rafah’ solidarity encampment established on the lawn One alum exclaimed angrily ‘they even have Dunkin Donuts!’ as he walked past Other alums have entered the encampment to speak with students

NOW: A new ‘Revolt for Rafah’ solidarity encampment is up on the lawn at Columbia University The encampment was established last night and has since been barricaded with tables being used for alumni weekend

Scenes from the pro-Palestine protest outside the Brooklyn Museum this afternoon 📸

As an alumna, I’ve never been particularly interested in going to a Columbia reunion, but now I am! A ticket is $150, check my pinned tweet if you want to help me attend the reunion and cover the encampment

NOW: A new ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment’ has been set up on the south lawn at Columbia University