Early Wednesday morning, police cleared a pro-Palestinian tent encampment at George Washington University and arrested demonstrators, hours after dozens marched to the home of the school’s president.
The arrests came as city officials were preparing to testify before the Republican-led House Committee on Oversight and Accountability regarding the protest’s handling,.
The hearing was subsequently canceled.
But the arrests were not before shocking photos of protesters backing the radical Islamic terrorist group, Hamas, and echoing their call for the destruction of America went viral —
For anyone who doubts the campus protests support Hamas.
George Washington University Gaza Encampment projects flames onto the American flag with this message…
Gaza lights the spark that will set the empire ablaze. pic.twitter.com/rlB6kRC37a
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) May 8, 2024
Tensions have been escalating in standoffs with pro-Hamas protesters of the Israel-Hamas war on campuses across the United States and increasingly in Europe.
Colleges have taken different approaches to the demonstrations, with some Southern colleges cracking down immediately, others tolerating the protests, and some beginning to lose patience and call in police due to concerns about disruptions to campus life and the safety of Jewish students.
D.C. police stated that officers moved to disperse demonstrators at George Washington because of a “gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest.”
They reported 33 arrests, including charges of assault on a police officer and unlawful entry, and confirmed the use of pepper spray outside the encampment against protesters attempting to break police lines and enter.
George Washington had warned of possible suspensions for continuing the camp, and protesters carrying signs reading “Free Palestine” and “Hands off Rafah” had marched to school President Ellen Granberg’s home Tuesday night. The school released a statement saying that the encampment had evolved into an unlawful activity, with participants violating multiple university policies and city regulations.
Since April 18, over 2,600 people have been arrested on 50 campuses, according to figures based on AP reporting and statements from universities and law enforcement agencies.
A week ago, the George Washington encampment was host to a somewhat chaotic visit from several Republican members of the House oversight panel who criticized the protests and condemned D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s refusal at that point to send in police.
Bowser confirmed on Monday that the city and police department had declined the university’s request to intervene, stating, “We did not have any violence to interrupt on the GW campus.”