DC police clear out GWU pro-Palestinian encampment, 33 protesters arrested

Emily Venezky | emily.venezky@wtop.com
May 8, 2024, 11:30 AM

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D.C. police took down a pro-Palestinian encampment at The George Washington University early Wednesday morning and arrested 33 protesters, D.C. police Chief Pamela Smith announced during a news conference Wednesday.

Police told WTOP that officers began clearing University Yard around 3 a.m., after law enforcement officials gave multiple warnings to clear the encampment. Protesters who refused to leave the site were taken into custody.

DC’s reasoning behind clearing GW encampment

During the news conference, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Smith said that clearing the encampment was essential for maintaining public safety in the District, and that city officials had been in communication with the campus administration as they planned the move.

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Bowser and Smith were scheduled to speak about the city’s response to the protests at a hearing with the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on Wednesday morning. Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, canceled the meeting and praised D.C. police for clearing out “antisemitic and unlawful protesters” on school campus.

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The Associated Press and WTOP’s Luke Lukert, Andrew Alsbrooks and Ciara Wells contributed to this report.

Emily Venezky
Emily Venezky is a digital writer/editor at WTOP. Emily grew up listening to and reading local news in Los Angeles, and she’s excited to cover stories in her chosen home of the DMV. She recently graduated from The George Washington University, where she studied political science and journalism.
emily.venezky@wtop.com