A defaced statue of George Washington at its namesake college in Washington, D.C., was seen lined Wednesday after police cleared an anti-Israel encampment and arrested dozens of protesters.
For almost two weeks, the statue was lined in Palestinian iconography, together with a number of flags, a keffiyeh and stickers that learn: “Free Palestine” and “Free Gaza.” The phrases “Genocidal Warmonger College” had been spray-painted on the base.
George Washington College spokesperson Josh Grossman informed Fox Information Digital on Tuesday that the varsity deliberate to “have interaction on restoring the statue with professionals who’re finest outfitted to handle this work once we are able to proceed.”
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GWU, like different universities nationwide, has been the location of formidable anti-Israel protests that noticed demonstrators organising an encampment on college grounds and calling for directors to chop all ties with Israel over its struggle in Gaza.
Final week, a number of Republican members of the Home oversight panel toured the campus and condemned D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. police for declining the college’s request to intervene. Bowser on Monday mentioned metropolis officers and the police declined the college’s request to intervene as a result of there wasn’t any violence for officers to interrupt.
Bowser, a Democrat, and Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith had been summoned to testify Wednesday afternoon earlier than the Home Committee on Oversight and Accountability to debate their dealing with of the protest.
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However the committee known as off the listening to after police intervened early Wednesday to clear the tent encampment at GWU. Police made 33 arrests, together with for assault on a police officer and illegal entry.
Bowser mentioned she and Smith determined to clear the camp based mostly on shifting details about elevated threats. “Our response to demonstrations is all the time rooted in public security and accountability,” the mayor mentioned.
Smith mentioned there have been indicators “the protest was turning into extra risky and fewer secure.” Amongst them had been indications that protesters had “gathered improvised weapons” and had been “casing” college buildings with the potential intention of occupying them, mentioned Jeffery Carroll, the police division’s government assistant chief.
Police confirmed they used pepper spray outdoors the encampment towards protesters who had been making an attempt to interrupt police strains and enter.
George Washington had warned of potential suspensions for persevering with the camp on College Yard. Protesters carrying indicators studying “Free Palestine” and “Palms off Rafah” additionally marched to highschool President Ellen Granberg’s house Tuesday night time.
The varsity mentioned in an announcement: “Whereas the college is dedicated to defending college students’ rights to free expression, the encampment had advanced into an illegal exercise, with contributors in direct violation of a number of college insurance policies and metropolis rules.”
Home Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., mentioned he had spoken with the mayor earlier Wednesday and “thanked her for lastly clearing the trespasser off the GW Campus.”
“It was unlucky the scenario at GW compelled the Oversight Committee to behave; nevertheless, it was obvious that the DC police power was not going to do their job. Due to this fact, after assembly with GW management and touring the encampment, we determined to carry a public listening to to get solutions as to why the Mayor wouldn’t uphold the legislation,” Comer mentioned. “I’m happy that the potential Oversight listening to led to swift motion by Mayor Bowser and MPD Chief Smith. We are going to proceed to carry D.C. officers accountable to make sure our nation’s capital is secure for all.”
Tensions have ratcheted up in standoffs with protesters of the Israel-Hamas struggle on campuses throughout the USA. Some schools cracked down instantly, others have tolerated the demonstrations, whereas others have begun to lose endurance and name in police over considerations about disruptions to campus life and security.
Since April 18, about 2,800 individuals have been arrested on 50 campuses, per figures based mostly on reporting from The Related Press and statements from universities and legislation enforcement businesses.
The motion was launched by a protest at Columbia College in New York.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
