DC Police Clear War Protesters After Congressional Threat to Intervene

WASHINGTON — Washington, D.C., police cleared out Israel-Hamas War protesters from George Washington University in the early hours of Wednesday but only after enduring congressional criticism for the delay.

Thirty-three protesters were arrested at an encampment only blocks from the White House after police said they were becoming increasingly aggressive. Some were charged with assault on police.

The protest was shut down hours before a congressional committee planned to question Washington’s mayor and police chief about why they tolerated a protest that blocked streets and cluttered the university campus with tents and signs denouncing Israel.

The hearing of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee was canceled after the arrests. Criticisms by Republicans on the committee were only slightly less accusatory of city officials.

“It was unfortunate the situation at [George Washington University] forced the Oversight Committee to act,” said House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., in a statement. “However, it was apparent that the D.C. police force was not going to do their job.”

He added, “I am pleased that the potential Oversight hearing led to swift action by Mayor [Muriel] Bowser and MPD Chief [Pamela] Smith. We will continue to hold D.C. officials accountable to ensure our nation’s capital is safe for all.”

Bowser denied the police action resulted from political pressure by Congress.

“Our response to demonstrations is always rooted in public safety and responsibility,” the mayor said.

City officials said they were motivated partly by protesters who left their encampment Tuesday to march to the home of George Washington University President Ellen Granberg.

Dozens of protesters carrying signs with slogans like “Free Palestine” and “Hands Off Rafah” marched through downtown streets chanting “Granberg, Granberg, you can’t hide, you’re complicit in genocide.”

The encampment of more than 30 tents was cleared away by early morning Wednesday. Supporters of the 33 people arrested held a vigil outside the police station where they were taken.

Republican members of Congress had threatened legislative action to break up protesters in response to media reports saying local police rejected requests from university officials to get rid of their encampment on the lawn next to the law school.

Police officials said initially they did not want to interfere with the protesters’ First Amendment right to freedom of speech.

Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Tom Lynch explained why officers moved in Wednesday despite the fact the protest started about two weeks ago.

“The department has worked to pursue non-arrest methods to deescalate tensions during this time and ensure the safety of the GW students and campus,” Lynch said. “Based on incidents and information, there has been a gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest.”

Officers used pepper spray on some protesters, he said.

The protests have swept college campuses nationwide since the first one on April 18 at Columbia University in New York. Since then, about 2,800 people have been arrested on 50 campuses, according to an Associated Press analysis.

President Joe Biden denounced what he called antisemitism on college campuses on Tuesday.

Speaking at a ceremony in Washington to remember victims of the Holocaust, Biden said, “There’s no place on any campus in America” for antisemitism and threats of violence.

The protesters are demanding their universities divest their interests in Israel after allegations its military is committing human rights violations in Gaza during its war with Hamas. The death toll among Gaza residents is around 35,000, nearly 70% of them non-combatant women and children, according to a United Nations report.

Another round of arrests Tuesday coincided with police breaking up an encampment at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. About 130 protesters were arrested after they refused to disperse.

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