Police build fence around former GW warehouse; say 11 of 33 people arrested identified themselves as students

A fence was erected around George Washington University’s campus after the camp, which had been occupied by pro-Palestinian protesters for nearly two weeks, was cleared on Wednesday. Police also said 11 of the 33 protesters arrested in the eviction identified themselves as GW students.

The 10-foot-tall fencing barriers are similar to those erected around the Capitol building following the January 6, 2021 insurrection – and now block all University Yard entrances.

It is unclear how long the fences are expected to remain in place in the area.

Asked at a news conference Wednesday whether the evacuation of the encampment meant there would be no further protests on the GW campus, D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith said it was GW President Ellen Granberg’s decision “to do so.” decide whether it will allow protests in other areas of campus.”

Smith said there would be no protests in the now secured area.

The camp, which had been in place for 13 days, was cleared early Wednesday morning by officers who used pepper spray and arrested 33 protesters who, according to police, refused to leave the camp after six warnings.

Smith said there were many signs that the protests were becoming increasingly volatile and outlined information officials had gathered in the days leading up to Wednesday. One of the concerning indicators Smith mentioned was that non-students were joining protests on campus and were found in secure campus buildings.

Granberg also said in a statement over the weekend that the protest had been “hijacked by individuals who are largely unconnected with our community and do not have the best interests of our community at heart.”

On Thursday, Police Deputy Communications Director Paris Lewbel confirmed to WTOP that “eleven of those arrested identified themselves as George Washington University students.”

Police arrest records show that the 33 demonstrators arrested were between 18 and 33 years old, most of them college age.

PHOTOS: See how GW University’s pro-Palestinian protest unfolded

Nearly three weeks into a movement sparked by a protest at Columbia University in New York, tensions continued to rise in clashes with demonstrators on campuses across the United States – and increasingly in Europe.

Some universities immediately cracked down on protests against the Israel-Hamas war. Among those who have tolerated the encampments, some universities are beginning to lose patience and call the police because of concerns about disruption to campus life, safety and non-student participation.

Just over 2,600 people have been arrested on 50 campuses since April 18, according to figures based on reports from The Associated Press and statements from universities and law enforcement agencies.

Emily Venezky and Cheyenne Corin of the Associated Press and WTOP contributed to this report.

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