Anti-Israel agitators at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. are urging administrators not to call police to clear their encampment, which has remained on the campus for 13 days. Protesters in GWU’s U-Yard have erected tents and displayed Palestinian flags at their encampment. They also defaced a statue of the campus's namesake, former President George Washington, with Palestinian iconography, which includes slamming 'Free Palestine' stickers onto the statue.
The raucous crowd are demanding that the university divest itself of all companies that trade with Israel, as well as reveal all the university's investment information to students — and now, they do not want the university to call D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to clear the encampment. Student organizer Reem Lababdi stated, 'We are very disciplined and organized. We’ve instructed all of our participants not to engage with agitators. Not to engage with police. We have a peaceful study. We have political education. We have religious services. There is absolutely no reason for MPD to get involved.'
The anti-Israel encampment has vowed not to disperse until their demands are met. Skyler Sieradzky, a senior at George Washington University, mentioned participating in a counterprotest where she and others stood silently and held an Israeli flag. The anti-Israel protesters responded by harassing and spitting at her.
University President Ellen Granberg stated that the ongoing encampment was unlawful. She emphasized the importance of engaging in critical dialogues within the limits of the university's policies and the District's laws. Granberg added, '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.'
Granberg mentioned that the university has requested support from the MPD to provide security assistance on and around the campus. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer announced a full committee hearing titled 'Oversight of D.C.’s Response to Unlawful Activity and Antisemitism,' which will examine the university and city leaders' response to the anti-Israel demonstration.
The committee has invited DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and MPD Chief Pamela Smith to testify on how they responded to 'the ongoing radical, antisemitic, and unlawful protests occurring at George Washington University and surrounding public lands.' Chairman Comer expressed deep concern over reports indicating the MPD rejected GWU’s request for help in removing the protestors. The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, at 1 p.m. at 2154 Rayburn House Office Building.
