Despite the mild showers, concerned Columbia students and community residents came together on Saturday to protest against the way Columbia University is handling the Manhatanville expansion.

"This student protest is organized by SCEG which is the Student Coalition on Expansion and Gentrification and a community group called CPC which is the Coalition to Preserve Community."

"We’re protesting against the use of stimulus money from Obama’s stimulus package to fund Columbia’s expansion into Harlem."

"Against a 17 acre eviction plan by Columbia University; a plan to take a West Harlem neighborhood and completely transform it to displace five thousand people over the process of the build out plan, to evict businesses and residences all over."

"This does not mean we oppose the expansion as an idea or a concept. We accept the expansion as a reality, but we think it should be done under the terms a lot fairer to the residents of Harlem."

While protesting has not always been proven as the most effective method, students believe that after awhile, their messages will be heard.

"Our hope is that we will get a large turnout at the rally, we hope the people will then sign up on our online petitions as well as our paper petitions and then we will have a lot of people follow through with their interest."

Community residents who protested next to the students thought that while student activism has been helpful, more could always be done.

"If you have a head on your shoulders and are interested in social issues, then there should be more involvement."