Lisa Fithian, a constant figure at leftist protests for nearly five decades, was one of the Palestine supporters who 'occupied' Hamilton Hall on Tuesday.

As a counter-protester tried to prevent the protesters from barricading the building, Fithian was filmed telling them: 'This is ridiculous... We're trying to end a genocide in Gaza.'

Additional footage shows her instructing students to 'Tie it right to the lock' as they held zip ties.

While the presence of a middle-aged woman at the demonstration may have struck some as odd, the Columbia encampment is exactly the kind of movement Fithian has made a career out of.