Pro-Palestine encampment at GWU enters 12th day

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) —The George Washington University president is now calling the encampment “illegal” and “potentially dangerous”.

The Pro-Palestine encampment is now entering its 12th day with protesters standing firm.

Protesters say they are digging in for the long haul despite the GWU President’s statement.

GWU President Ellen Granberg is saying this is “not a peaceful protest” adding that it is a “potentially dangerous occupation” of university property.

George Washington University President: ‘At no point was this encampment lawful’

Protesters are calling for a free Palestine and demanding GWU to divest from any businesses that support the Israel-Hamas war.

Granberg says the university supports freedom of expression and it has offered an alternative demonstration site which has been so far refused.

She detailed instances when protesters overran barriers, vandalized a university statue and flag, chased people out of University Yard and paused GW police and maintenance staff.

The protesters remain undeterred by the statement.

Miriam,  a Jewish protester who refused to give her last name says, “I think our safety [is] all intertwined – as one people and I know that Jews cannot be safe while Palestinians are being oppressed, and while Palestinians are being bombed and killed or starved.”

The GWU president says campus police are unequipped to handle this situation and is asking for D.C. police for support.

Why are college students protesting?

The Pro-Palestine protesters say they plan to hold their own press conference Monday afternoon.

“I think that is really just a testament to what we already knew, that the students have the power, that we have reclaimed power from this institution, that the university has tried to get rid of us and they have failed, and that the only way that they can get rid of us is by meeting our demands because we have the power here,” said Miriam.

DC police has increased its presence on and around University Yard.

DC News Now reached out to MPD for a response to the university president’s statement and has yet to hear back.

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