Cornell president accused of backing car into protester says he was victim of 'harassment'

The president of Cornell University claimed he was victim of "harassment and intimidation" following a confrontation with protesters in which he appeared to back his car into one of the demonstrators.

The president of Cornell University claimed Monday that he was victim of "harassment and intimidation" following a confrontation with protesters in which he appeared to back his car into one of the demonstrators.

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President Michael Kotlikoff said he had just left Goldwin Smith Hall on the school's Ithaca, New York, campus, where several groups — including Cornell Progressives, Cornellians for Israel and Students for Justice in Palestine — had gathered for a debate Thursday night about the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

Video shows Cornell students following President Kotlikoff to his car and surrounding the car to prevent him from leaving after the Cornell Political Union event.Cornell UniversityAs he left the event, Kotlikoff said, demonstrators followed him all the way to his car.