WASHINGTON — Some Republican members of Congress are calling on the District of Columbia to shut down the pro-Palestine encampment at George Washington University. Students from the university, as well as neighboring universities, have been protesting in tents since late last week.
Protests on the campus stretched into Thursday morning, after members of Congress visited the encampment on Wednesday.
RELATED: Hundreds defy police orders to disperse from pro-Palestinian protests at universities across US
On Tuesday, Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) sent a letter to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith raising concerns about the encampment of protestors.
In the letter, the lawmakers write:
“We are alarmed by reports that the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia (MPD) rejected requests from officials at the George Washington University (GWU) to assist in removing the radical, antisemitic, and unlawful protestors who have encamped on the university’s campus and surrounding District of Columbia public land for several days. It is deeply disturbing that while GWU has attempted to take concrete measures to protect the safety of Jewish student body from persecution and harassment, they are hindered by the MPD’s refusal to provide assistance clearing out the encampment, over fears of public criticism.”
The student group GW For Israel echoed that sentiment. They shared a petition Tuesday calling on Mayor Bowser and MPD to remove the "violent and antisemitic agitators" from GW's campus.
The group also shared the following statement with the petition on Instagram:
"Over the past week, major protests have emerged on the George Washington University campus. The DMV Students for Justice in Palestine encampment, which purports to be an initiative fighting for Palestinian freedom, has become home to virulent antisemitic chants, rhetoric, posters, and actions. This encampment incites violence, poses a direct threat to Jewish and Israeli students, and needs to be addressed urgently.
Many Jews, Israelis, and Zionists who have entered the encampment report being spat at, screamed at, followed, recorded, and physically threatened. Jewish students have been physically threatened. Jewish students have been physically blocked from entering University Yard. The bullying, harassment, and threats toward Jewish students constitute hate crimes that are not protected by the First Amendment. the city has a duty to protect its citizens from this violence before it's too late.
Student speech that is productive, does not threaten other students, and does not disrupt academics should be welcomed and encouraged on our campus. This is not the case with DMV SJP's encampment at U-Yard. The failure of D.C. law enforcement to act despite repeated requests from the University has empowered DMV SJP to continue committing acts of hate against Jewish and Israeli students and has left students being harassed, feeling directly threatened and unsafe.
These protesters are not exercising their First Amendment rights within the bounds of the law or the school's policies. We call on Mayor Bowser to act and to ensure the security of all DC residents by swiftly removing all protestors engaged in violent or antisemitic activity."
A spokesperson for Mayor Bowser's office confirmed Wednesday morning that her team met with university officials Tuesday. They did not share what, if any, decisions were made in regards to police enforcement.
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.
In a letter posted on April 28, the GW University president again instructed students to relocate from University Yard to Anniversary Park, adding that those who remained would be placed on temporary suspension.
Graduation ceremonies begin on May 16, and in the president's letter, she wrote, "As we approach the end of the academic year, our ability to operate in a way that ensures the academic success and personal well-being of our community becomes even more critical. We are committed to ensuring that important moments in our students’ educational journeys, including finals and Commencement."
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