A reporter then replied: “It seems like you’re sort of saying: ‘We want to be revolutionaries, we want to take over this building, now would you please bring us some food and water.’’’

Ms King-Slutzky replied: “Nobody’s asking them to bring anything.

“We’re asking them to not violently stop us from bringing in basic humanitarian aid.’’

Ms King-Slutzky then clarified that she was not sure if the university had tried to stop supplies being brought to the protesters.

“We are looking for a commitment from them that they will not stop it,’’ she said. “I do not know to what extent it has been attempted. But we’re looking for a commitment.’’

She also said that she believed the university was obliged to provide food to any student occupiers who had paid for a meal plan as part of their college fees.

On her website, Ms King-Slutzky calls herself a “video editor and full-service digital comms expert for progressive and leftist causes”

Earlier on Tuesday, videos of people passing food to women inside a gate at Columbia were shared online.

Riot police on Tuesday night moved in on protesters at Columbia who had occupied Hamilton Hall and flown Palestine flags from its windows.