On March 6, 2025, the Washington Free Beacon reported that Dong was arrested along with eight other anti-Israel activists on March 5, 2025, at a pro-Hamas rally after occupying Barnard's Milstein Library.
Cannon was charged with "disorderly conduct, trespassing, and obstructing governmental administration."
The library takeover, which was organized by the pro-terror student coalition Columbia University Apartheid Divest group (CUAD), was in support of students who had been suspended for interrupting a "History of Modern Israel" class on January 21, 2025, and distributing anti-Semitic flyers.
During the takeover, anti-Israel activists distributed pamphlets published by the "Hamas Media Office" justifying the group's October 7, 2023 terror attacks. They also chanted: "Intifada, intifada! Globalize the Intifada!"
The activists also shared posters that read: "DEATH TO AMERICA," writing the same message in the library's guest book. They also shared posters in support of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
During the takeover, protesters also chanted: "Disclose! Divest! We will not stop! We will not rest!" and held a wanted poster of Barnard president Laura Ann Rosenbury.
Classes were reportedly disrupted and the police were sent to the location, citing a "bomb threat."
On March 5, 2025, New York Times reported that this was the "second such sit-in to take place at Barnard over the issue," with anti-Israel activists having previously "staged a sit-in at Milbank Hall."
