Police Disband Pro-Palestinian Tent Encampment at George Washington University, Dozens Arrested

By Hamodia Staff

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, police cleared a pro-Palestinian tent encampment at George Washington University, resulting in the arrest of numerous protesters. This action followed a previous march to President Ellen Granberg’s residence by demonstrators who had vacated the encampment.

University officials in Washington, D.C., had previously cautioned students engaging in protest activities on University Yard of potential suspensions.

“While the university is committed to upholding students’ rights to free expression, the encampment had transformed into an unlawful activity, with participants in direct contravention of multiple university policies and city regulations,” stated the university in a release.

Local reports indicated that some protesters faced pepper spray as law enforcement prevented access to the encampment. Community organizers reported nearly 30 arrests.

In a statement, the District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police Department confirmed arrests for assault on a police officer and unlawful entry, though the exact number of arrests was not immediately disclosed. The department cited a gradual escalation in the protest’s volatility as the reason for dispersing the demonstrators.

On Tuesday evening, protesters, bearing signs with slogans like “Free Palestine” and “Hands off Rafah,” marched to Granberg’s residence, prompting police presence to manage the crowd. No arrests were made during this incident.

These events coincide with Mayor Muriel Bowser and MPD Chief Pamela Smith’s scheduled testimony at a House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing regarding the District of Columbia’s management of the protests later on Wednesday.

A similar pro-Palestinian tent encampment at the University of Chicago was dismantled on Tuesday, following administrators’ shift from a permissive stance due to escalating safety concerns. University President Paul Alivisatos affirmed the institution’s commitment to freedom of speech while emphasizing the need to maintain community stability.

Tensions persist on campuses across the U.S. and Europe, nearly three weeks into a movement catalyzed by protests at Columbia University. While some schools have accommodated protests, others, facing disruptions to campus life and safety concerns, have resorted to police intervention.

Since April 18, over 2,600 individuals have been arrested on 50 campuses, reflecting a range of responses from institutions. However, certain schools, like Wesleyan University and the Rhode Island School of Design, continue to support student demonstrations as acts of political expression.