DC police clear pro-Palestinian camp

Liberty Zabala and Paola Belloso

11 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (DC News now) – The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) moved in early Wednesday morning to clear the pro-Palestinian camp at George Washington University (GW).

On Monday, D.C. police said the “significant police presence” near the George Washington University camp had increased as the 13th day began.

MPD told DC News Now that DC supports people in exercising their First Amendment rights while remaining in constant contact with GW to support the university with whatever they need.

Police said they chose non-arrest methods to de-escalate the situation on campus and ensure the safety of students.

However, MPD said that “the volatility of the protest has gradually escalated.”

Because of that, police said they moved in to clear protesters from the George Washington University campus and surrounding streets.

Mayor Muriel Bowser and other officials held a news conference Wednesday morning to discuss clearing the pro-Palestinian camp.

Officials said they gave protesters warnings and clear instructions six times. Anyone who didn’t comply was arrested.

MPD said 33 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested.

Thirty were arrested for trespassing and three for assaulting police officers.

“It’s kind of absurd,” GWU student Sydney Frelich said. “I didn’t expect it to be completely evacuated and that there would even be barricades here. Honestly, I woke up and then I saw text messages and looked at Twitter and I had to go over and see what happened.”

Some of these protesters were pepper-sprayed by police.

Officials said the pepper spray was in response to an attack on an officer.

They said protesters tried to break through the barricade to get to those arrested and threw punches at officers.

MPD Police Chief Pamela Smith said they would not allow protesters to return to the camp area

Police also posted posters on street poles along H Street indicating that various items had been collected at the camp and that protesters could file a claim with the Evidence Division for the recovery of those items.