Dozens of protesters at George Washington University were arrested, including for attacking police

Washington
CNN
—

The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, has arrested dozens of people on charges including assaulting police following a standoff between officers and a group that law enforcement cleared from a campus encampment on Wednesday, a police source told CNN .

The action came hours before Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and George Washington University President Ellen Granberg were scheduled to testify before Congress about the response to the encampment.

The source said MPD has been planning since Monday to clear the protesters at that time and that the decision to clear the protest camp today had nothing to do with the congressional hearing. But when pressed on the timing before the hearing, the source acknowledged the timing was notable.

Police arrested between 30 and 40 protesters, the source said. In addition to assault, some were also charged with unlawful entry, according to MPD spokesman Tom Lynch, who said police will “continue to assist universities or other private institutions that need assistance.”

Lynch said police made the decision to disperse the protesters due to “a gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest.” Lynch said police used pepper spray near the university – but not on campus – to clear protesters.

“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,” Lynch said. “Due to the incidents and information, the volatility of the protest has gradually increased. That’s why MPD, working closely with GW administration and police, took action this morning to disperse protesters from the GW campus and surrounding streets.”

This is a developing story. It will be updated.