WASHINGTON — DMV-area students held a protest on the campus of George Washington University on Thursday. Protesters are speaking out against the Israel-Hamas conflict. There have been dozens of protests like it on college campuses across the country over the last week.
Students set up the encampment at University Yard calling it "Students All Out For Gaza." Tents were set up around 6 a.m., and protesters were seen on campus with signs, chanting, drumming and flying Palestinian flags. Students from American University, Gallaudet University, George Mason University, Georgetown and Howard were all present at the protest.
Student organizers say they have very specific demands. They want each of the universities to divest from any businesses aiding Israel in the ongoing war in Gaza. They are also asking for all speech in support of Palestine to be protected on campus, and charges against pro-Palestinian student organizers to be dropped.
Meanwhile, George Washington University has said in a statement that University Yard is not meant for gatherings due to GW Law finals happening nearby. They asked demonstrators to move to Anniversary Park.
They also said students will be required to remove tents and disperse by 7 p.m. Thursday, as overnight encampments are not permitted.
"The university is aware that around 50 GW students have gathered on University Yard and placed approximately 20 tents," the university wrote in a statement. "GW Police Department officers and other university officials responded on site this morning to confirm all participants are current GW students and to explain the university’s demonstration policies. The GW demonstration remains peaceful; however, there are non-GW individuals on public property and the university is coordinating with D.C. Metropolitan Police Department."
Despite the 7 p.m. deadline, students continued to protest well into the night. At 7:50 p.m., nearly an hour past the deadline, GWU released a statement:
"As we said earlier, the encampment is an unauthorized use of university space and violates several university policies. The university and MPD are continuing to work in coordination to determine how to best address the situation and ensure student compliance with those policies."
Students were still gathered as the sun came up Friday morning. Protesters began drumming and chanting at 7 a.m.
DC Police officers were seen nearby, but the encampment continues.
RELATED: Hamas official says group would lay down its weapons if a two-state solution is implemented
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