WASHINGTON (WJLA) — Tuesday marks 13 days since a protest encampment, which remains a steadfast presence as streets remain closed, took over the U-Yard at George Washington University.
Over the weekend, University President Ellen Granberg released a message on the university’s website in response to the ongoing campus protests stating what’s happening on campus is unlawful.
“I fully support and encourage our community to speak out and engage in controversial and critical dialogues on these crucial issues—as long as they occur within the limits of our university's policies and the District's laws,” the letter reads.
However, what is currently happening at GW is not a peaceful protest protected by the First Amendment or our university’s policies.Granberg also said the university has asked for support from Washington's Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to provide increased security presence on and around University Yard.
Student organizers told WJLA they see this latest push to increase police presence as a threat.
“We are very disciplined and organized. We’ve instructed all of our participants not to engage with agitators. Not to engage with police,” explained Reem Lababdi, a student organizer who claimed to be a GW sophomore of Palestinian and Lebanese descent.
We have a peaceful study. We have political education. We have religious services. There is absolutely no reason for MPD to get involved.The ongoing protest includes GW students, students from neighboring universities, and activists across the Washington metropolitan area. The organizers along with others across the nation are calling on their universities to divest from companies that support Israel's military operations in Gaza.
Protesters also told WJLA they will not be leaving (willingly) until their demands are met including protection from pro-Palestinian speech and for the university to divest from companies that support Israel’s military operation in Gaza.
On Wednesday, top city leaders including Mayor Muriel Bowser and MPD Police Chief Pamela A. Smith are being called to testify on the handling of the protest on campus at a House Oversight Committee meeting.
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