33 Arrested As Police Intervene In Anti-Israel Protest At George Washington University, Online Report
DEBARYLIFE – Following two weeks of increasing tensions, the Metropolitan Police Department dismantled the George Washington University campsite early on Wednesday morning.
Though she stated she spoke with Rep. James Comer (R-KY) about concentrating her day on the issues on campus, Mayor Muriel Bowser was scheduled to attend a hearing by the House Oversight Committee later on Wednesday. Based on that communication, she stated that she anticipates the hearing being canceled.
Comer declared he would cancel the meeting.
During a press conference, Bowser declared, “MPD is the best in the business at keeping people safe.” She handed the comments over to MPD right away.
MPD stated that while it respects people using their First Amendment rights to demonstrate, safety comes first. Pepper spray was used by police against certain demonstrators.
MPD Chief Pamela Smith stated, “I have made every decision based on public safety.”
For charges of unauthorized trespassing and assault on a police officer, 33 people were taken into custody. Four individuals, one of whom was inside the camp, were accused of attacking a police officer, while twenty-nine were charged with criminal conduct. Officers were not seriously hurt.
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After university administrators announced that they were unable to reach a consensus with the demonstrators’ demands, the protest was called off.
When questioned about demonstrators who stated they still intended to camp, Smith responded, “In this specific location where there is private property, we will not allow them to encamp anymore.” “There will be no protests in the area that we have now secured.”
Furthermore, MPD verified that a few individuals associated with the Columbia University encampment in New York journeyed to Washington to participate in the GWU encampment.
According to Bowser, “the MPD’s response to the demonstration is apolitical.”