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Over 30 protesters arrested as police clear George Washington University pro-Palestinian camp

Theo

Top line

Police began clearing a pro-Palestinian camp at George Washington University early Wednesday, arresting nearly three dozen protesters, following similar developments on other campuses across the country in recent weeks.

Important facts

The District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department confirmed to Forbes that 33 protesters were arrested, previously saying in a opinion Posted on

The arrests began hours after dozens of protesters left campus to march to the home of university President Ellen Granberg, multiple media outlets reported.

Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith were scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday about their response to the protests, but the committee canceled the hearing after the campus encampment ended.

Representatives from George Washington University did not immediately respond to Forbes requests for comment.

Important background

The George Washington University camp began in late April, and several students were reportedly suspended on April 26. Granberg said in a May 5 statement that the protest on the university’s campus “is not a peaceful protest protected by the First Amendment or our university’s policies.” saying, “The demonstration, like many others across the country, has evolved into what can only be classified as an illegal and potentially dangerous occupation of GW property.” Nationwide pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses began in mid April after Columbia University students founded their Gaza solidarity camp. Since then, camps have sprung up at several universities across the country, including UCLA, Princeton University, the City University of New York and Dartmouth. President Joe Biden commented on the nationwide encampments on May 2, defending “peaceful protest” but saying “violent protest is not protected.”

Big number

More than 2,000. According to the Washington Post, as of May 3, that many protesters had been arrested in pro-Palestinian campus camps.

tangent

Similar protests have broken out in recent weeks at universities around the world, including in Britain, Australia, Canada, France and Italy.

further reading

More than 1,000 people arrested in campus protests last week: Here’s where they’re happening (Forbes)

Pro-Palestinian campus protests are happening around the globe – after camps at Columbia and UCLA (Forbes)

Biden condemns ‘chaos’ amid tense campus protests – doesn’t support calling in National Guard (Forbes)

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