Topline
Police began clearing a pro-Palestinian encampment at George Washington University early Wednesday and arrested nearly three dozen protesters, following similar developments on other campuses across the country in recent weeks.
Key Facts
The District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department confirmed 33 protesters were arrested to Forbes, and previously said in a statement posted to X “there has been a gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest,” leading authorities to remove protestors from the area, adding that arrests were made for assault on a police officer and unlawful entry.
The arrests began hours after dozens of protesters left the campus to march to university president Ellen Granberg’s home, multiple outlets reported.
Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith were set to testify before the House Oversight Committee Wednesday for their response to the protests, but the committee canceled the hearing following the end of the university’s encampment.
Representatives for George Washington University did not immediately respond to Forbes’ requests for comment.
Key Background
George Washington University’s encampment began in late April, with several students reportedly suspended on April 26. Granberg said in a May 5 statement the protest on the university’s campus “is not a peaceful protest protected by the First Amendment or our university’s policies,” going on to say: “The demonstration, like many around the country, has grown into what can only be classified as an illegal and potentially dangerous occupation of GW property.” The nationwide pro-Palestinian college campus protests began in mid-April after Columbia University students created their Gaza Solidarity Encampment. Since then, encampments have sprung up at multiple universities across the nation, including at UCLA, Princeton University, City University of New York and Dartmouth. President Joe Biden spoke out about the nationwide encampments on May 2, defending “peaceful protest,” but saying “violent protest is not protected.”
Big Number
More than 2,000. That’s how many demonstrators in pro-Palestinian campus encampments have been arrested as of May 3, according to the Washington Post.
Tangent
Similar protests have broken out in recent weeks at universities around the globe, including in the U.K., Australia, Canada, France and Italy.
Further Reading
More Than 1,000 Arrested At Campus Protests In Past Week: Here’s Where They’re Happening (Forbes)
Pro-Palestinian Campus Protests Are Happening Around The Globe—Following Encampments At Columbia And UCLA (Forbes)
Biden Condemns ‘Chaos’ Amid Tense Campus Protests—Doesn’t Support Calling In National Guard (Forbes)
