Sri Lanka, April 30 -- Dozens of pro-Palestine demonstrators at Columbia University have escalated their protest over the war in Gaza by occupying an academic building.

Activists at the university in New York City seized Hamilton Hall early on Tuesday, barricading themselves inside.

One student said the campus was "lawless", as officials grapple with the long-running demo which has prompted a wave of rallies elsewhere.

Columbia has urged students and staff to stay away from campus on Tuesday.

It earlier began suspending students who defied Monday's deadline of 14:00 EST (18:00 GMT) to leave their two-week encampment nearby.

But as the deadline passed, dozens of students rallied at the site.

Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine...