Ramona Sarsgaard, the 18-year-old daughter of actress Maggie Gyllenhaal and actor Peter Sarsgaard, was arrested during anti-Israel protests at Columbia University. According to police sources, Ramona, a student at Columbia College, was charged with criminal trespassing and issued a desk appearance ticket.
She was among nearly 80 individuals detained after protestors stormed Butler Library while students were preparing for final exams. The demonstration, part of ongoing campus unrest over the Israel-Gaza conflict, escalated quickly, leading to injuries and disruption.
Parents’ Work Reflects Middle East Tensions Amid Daughter’s Protest-Linked Arrest Silence
Authorities reported that at least two school safety officers were injured during the disturbance. Columbia University responded by issuing at least 65 interim suspensions to students involved in the protest, though it is unclear if Sarsgaard was among them. Video footage showed demonstrators being escorted out in zip ties by NYPD officers.
The protest began when demonstrators forced their way into the library, where they defaced property and displayed provocative signs, including one reading “Columbia Will Burn.” In total, 33 other individuals—including alumni and those from affiliated schools—were also barred from campus.
Daughter of Maggie Gyllenhaal Arrested at Columbia During Anti-Israel Protest Library Takeover
Very little is known publicly about Ramona Sarsgaard’s personal views or academic focus at Columbia. Unlike her prominent parents, she has remained private and has not spoken out on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Her family has deep ties to Columbia University: her mother, Maggie Gyllenhaal, is an alumna, as is her grandmother Naomi Foner. Her uncle, actor Jake Gyllenhaal, also attended the school for two years. The family’s strong academic and artistic legacy ties them closely to Columbia’s community.
Parents’ Work Reflects Middle East Tensions Amid Daughter’s Protest-Linked Arrest Silence
Though Ramona has remained silent on the issue, her parents have been involved in film and television projects exploring the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Maggie Gyllenhaal starred in The Honorable Woman, a series depicting a character attempting to broker peace between Israel and Palestine. In interviews, she emphasized the importance of balanced storytelling that doesn’t take sides.
Similarly, Peter Sarsgaard recently appeared in September 5, a film about the 1972 Munich Massacre, which faced criticism during filming for perceived pro-Israel messaging amid heightened global tensions following the Hamas attacks in October 2023.
Neither Gyllenhaal nor Sarsgaard has publicly commented on their daughter’s arrest, and their representatives declined requests for statements. When a reporter visited the family’s Brooklyn residence, a woman quickly shut the door without commenting.
Columbia University also declined to confirm Ramona’s disciplinary status, citing student privacy laws under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The incident has attracted significant public attention as the university faces increasing pressure to address the ongoing protests and maintain campus safety during a politically charged period.
