WASHINGTON — Just a day after the encampment on the campus of George Washington University was broken up by DC Police, a group of pro-Palestine protesters gathered outside GWU's administrative offices.
Students and protesters began an encampment protest on GW's University Yard in support of Palestine on April 25. After two weeks, DC Police began breaking the protest up. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Police Chief Pamela Smith announced 33 people were arrested Wednesday morning when the encampment was cleared. According to Chief Smith, 29 of those were for unlawful entry, and four others were for assault on a police officer.
A spokesperson for the university confirmed that six of the people arrested were GWU students, though more identified themselves to police as students.
The large group of demonstrators began gathering outside Thurston Hall on 19th and F Street in Northwest around 7 p.m. Thursday. Video of the protest shows people chanting, while others wave Palestinian flags and bang on drums.
The demonstrators cleared out around 1 a.m. on Friday morning. Police say one person was arrested for assaulting a police officer.
Selina Al-Shihabi said she was among those arrested on Wednesday, and said she will continue to protest.
"[We are] showing them that despite trying to arrest us, despite trying to oppress us, we are not afraid and we will stay standing here until they divest from the genocide in Gaza. Because we know that even though the conditions we went through were brutal, they are miniscule compared to the conditions the people of Gaza and the people of Rafah are currently going through," she said.
Demonstrators said they plan to return to campus and continue to protest until their demands are met.
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.