A Bloomberg News reporter was arrested when anti-Israel protesters took over Columbia University’s main library this month, but now he even loses his job in the news outlet.Jason Kao, a former New York Times employee, received criminal trespass charges after police intervened to secure the building at the prestigious Morningside Heights institution on May 7, authorities confirmed Monday.Following his arrest at Columbia, Kao received a desk appearance ticket. A Bloomberg representative said on Monday that the graphics reporter no longer works for the financial news organisation, according to the New York Post.The exact involvement of Kao, who graduated from Columbia in 2022 and wrote for the university publication, in the library disturbance remains unclear.The police detained 81 individuals during the protest at the Ivy League facility, where participants damaged university property and created disruptions with drums whilst students were preparing for final examinations.Acting university president Claire Shipman reported that two security personnel sustained injuries when masked protesters entered the building.The university has issued interim suspensions to more than 65 students, whilst 33 people from associated institutions and several alumni have been prohibited from entering the campus.According to the Free Beacon, Kao had previously worked at the New York Times through its fellowship scheme and had most recently contributed to a Bloomberg article on May 1.The Free Beacon reported that Kao’s deleted X account contained numerous posts regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza following the terror organisation’s attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.Among those arrested during the library occupation was Ramona Sarsgaard, the 18-year-old daughter of actress Maggie Gyllenhaal.Efforts to contact Kao on Monday evening were unsuccessful.
