DC Police Break Up Pro-Palestinian Encampment on GWU Campus; there were several arrests

WASHINGTON (7News) — D.C. police broke up an encampment of several pro-Palestinian protesters who had occupied the George Washington University campus for nearly two weeks early Wednesday morning and made several arrests.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers moved into University Yard around 3:30 a.m. and urged “arrest of anyone who remained in the U-Yard and the section of H Street in front of the square,” according to the independent student newspaper the University. GW Beil.

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MPD tells 7News that since the encampment began on April 25, the agency has been working with university officials to “pursue non-arrest methods to defuse tensions,” but after a “gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest,” officers began demonstrators evacuate the camp.

As a result, according to MPD, there were several arrests for assault on a police officer and unlawful entry. The MPD declined to provide the exact number of arrests, but protest organizers told 7News’ Joy Wang that 34 people were arrested and four were released.

After the protest camp was cleared, dozens of protesters left the site and marched to the Metropolitan Police Academy along Blue Plains Drive to gather.

RELATED | “This is about Gaza”: Protesters celebrate 13 days in the pro-Palestinian GWU camp

7News obtained video of officers arriving at the yard around 3:30 a.m. Check it out below:

Protesters at the camp told 7News they were sprayed by police as they tried to escape. Some were seen washing their eyes and gathering to treat others who had reportedly been sprayed.

DC Fire and EMS responders also informed people about what to do if something was sprayed.

The following streets in the area are closed:

• 2000 block of H St NW between 20th and 23rd St’s NW
• EB 2100 block of Pennsylvania Ave NW from 21st to 20th St’s NW
• NB 600 – 800 blocks of 20th St NW from F St to Pennsylvania Ave NW

This comes as Mayor Muriel Bowser and MPD Chief Pamela Smith are set to testify Wednesday afternoon at a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing on the District’s handling of the protest. The hearing is titled: Oversight of DC’s Response to Unlawful Activities and Anti-Semitism.

As time runs out for the hearing, Bowser said, “My constitutional responsibility is to make sure people can protest safely and, if they don’t, to support interaction with law enforcement.”

GW students, students from neighboring universities and activists from across the DMV took part in the protest. Organizers join others across the country in calling on their universities to divest from companies that support Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

Read MPD’s full statement below:

“The District of Columbia supports individuals in the peaceful exercise of their First Amendment rights. The Metropolitan Police Department is assisting George Washington University in assessing and monitoring First Amendment activities that began on campus on April 25, 2024.”

The department has worked to pursue non-arrest methods to reduce tensions during this time and ensure the safety of GW students and the campus. According to the incidents and information, there was a gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest. That’s why MPD, working closely with GW administration and police, took action this morning to clear protesters from the GW campus and surrounding streets.

During the course of the operation, arrests were made for assaulting a police officer and unlawful entry. MPD will continue to support universities or other private institutions that need support.”

Here’s a general overview of Wednesday’s hearing:

• Chairman Comer delivers the 5-minute introduction
• Ranking member Raskin provides the 5-minute introduction
• Chairman Comer introduces the witnesses; they are sworn in
• Each witness gives a 5-minute statement
• Five minute questioning, back and forth between Republicans and Democrats
• Final statement

The hearing will also be livestreamed. More information can be found here.