For the past couple of weeks, leftist student protesters on college and university campuses across the nation, but especially in New York City, have staged unauthorized anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian actions that include building makeshift encampments, occupying buildings, harassment and assaults on other students -- particularly those who are Jewish -- and in some instances, violent clashes with police attempting to restore order.

Hundreds of these activists have been arrested in New York City following attempted crackdowns by authorities, and the big question now is whether progressive Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg will prosecute them or let them walk without consequences for their unlawful actions, City & State New York reported.

That question was raised following the revelation that roughly two-thirds of those who've been arrested at Columbia University and City College in New York have since been released with a mere summons ticket to appear at a later date to respond to some unspecified charge of a low-level violation.

Hundreds arrested amid campus protests

The City reported earlier this week that after roughly two weeks since anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian protesters took over parts of the Columbia and City College campuses, the New York City Police Department received authorization from school authorities to enter the campuses, dislodge the protesters, and make arrests if necessary.

More than 520 arrests have been made in New York City, including more than 280 during the Tuesday night incursion by the NYPD at Columbia and City College, and of those, 74 have been formally charged and arraigned, 16 were given desk appearance tickets to possibly face charges later, and the rest were released with a summons.

More than 40 of those who've been charged face felony burglary counts related to the occupation of Hamilton Hall on Columbia's campus while others were hit with misdemeanor criminal trespassing. At City College, more than 20 arrestees were charged with felony burglary for similarly occupying a building while at least five others were charged with felony assault and a few others face a variety of misdemeanor counts.

In a statement on Wednesday, DA Bragg revealed that he has not yet decided how he will proceed on those cases and said, "We will look carefully at each individual case on our docket and make decisions based on the facts and the law. That will include a thorough review of body cam footage and interviews with witnesses."

Everything an "absolute waste of time" if Bragg doesn't prosecute offenders

C&SNY reported that school administrators have threatened academic consequences for the protesters, potentially including suspension or expulsion, but any legal accountability beyond that is up to the district attorney.

Joe Borelli, a Republican City Council member, told the outlet, "If the DA doesn’t prosecute the bulk of those arrested then the entire negotiation with the campus administration, the entire police enforcement action, and all the national attention on this matter has been an absolute waste of time."

"The ball is in his court, and I’m only confident in his shortcomings," he added.

Bragg likely to show leniency to criminal protesters

C&SNY noted that DA Bragg has a partisan reputation even as he claims to be apolitical, and has a history of showing leniency to criminally charged individuals as part of his progressive criminal justice reform agenda.

As such, while some on the right are demanding that he hold the arrested protesters accountable for their criminal behavior, he is also facing mounting pressure from the left to back off and leave the protesters alone.

One example came from the NYC chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which said in an X post, "Campuses are for learning, NOT battlegrounds. Arresting students & allies disrupt education. Email & call NYC reps to urge the DA to grant full amnesty, end lockdowns, & meet student demands to divest from Israeli apartheid."

In the experience of Manhattan-based attorney Martin Stolar, previously the head of New York's National Lawyers Guild, Bragg will likely ultimately dismiss charges against most or all of the low-level offenders and, of the few who are eventually prosecuted, few if any will actually face any jail time for their criminal behavior.