33 arrests made after DC police clear out pro-Palestine encampment at GWU's campus

WASHINGTON (7News) — About 33 arrests were made after D.C. Police cleared out an encampment early Wednesday morning by several pro-Palestinian protesters who occupied George Washington University's campus for nearly two weeks.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief of Police Pamela Smith said protesters were given six warnings and clear directions to disperse the area before officers moved into University Yard around 3:30 a.m.

MPD tells 7News that the agency has been working with university officials to "pursue non-arrest methods to deescalate tensions" since the encampment began on April 25 but after a "gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest," officers moved to clear out the demonstrators.

RELATED | DC Mayor, police chief will not face House committee hearing after GW encampment cleared

As a result, MPD said 33 people were arrested; 29 were charged with unlawful entry or trespassing and four were charged with assault on a police officer. George Washington University reports only six were students.

During the clear out, officers deployed pepper spray at the Foggy Bottom campus.

7News was live at the protest clear-out. Watch below:

RELATED | 'This is about Gaza': Protesters mark 13 days at GWU's pro-Palestinian encampment

Protesters at the encampment told 7News they were sprayed by police while trying to run away. Some were seen washing their eyes out and gathering to treat others who were sprayed.

"As far as the deployment of pepper spray, that was done in response to the assaults on the police officers that occurred. So that was not done to disperse any groups. It was the individuals who were assaulting officers and it was done to stop that assault and make the arrest related to that," an MPD official said. "There were some punches thrown at the officers."

Officials also said a demonstrator grabbed an item out of an officer's hands ahead of MPD's advancement on day 14, escalating tensions.

Smith said officers did not suffer serious injuries.

Smith said they will not allow protestors to return to the encampment area since it is private property.

7News obtained video of officers arriving at the Yard around 3:30 a.m. Watch below:

After the protest camp cleared out, dozens of protesters left the site and marched to the Metropolitan Police Academy along Blue Plains Drive to rally.

Protesters gathered outside the academy greeting those who were arrested with hugs and chants as they were released.

This comes as Mayor Muriel Bowser and Smith were set to testify about the District's handling of the protest at a House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing on Wednesday afternoon. However, during the 8:30 a.m. press conference, Bowser announced that the hearing was canceled.

“Following the Metropolitan Police Department finally clearing out the unlawful encampment on GW’s campus, I am very pleased to announce that the hearing with Mayor Bowser has been canceled. I had a good conversation with Mayor Bowser. I thanked her for finally clearing the trespassers off the GW Campus. It was unfortunate the situation at GW forced the Oversight Committee to act; however it was apparent that the DC police force was not going to do their job. Therefore, after meeting with GW leadership and touring the encampment, we decided to hold a public hearing to get answers as to why the Mayor would not uphold the law. I am pleased that the potential Oversight hearing led to swift action by Mayor Bowser and MPD Chief Smith. We will continue to hold D.C. officials accountable to ensure our nation’s capital is safe for all," House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said.

The protest included GW students, students from neighboring universities, and activists across the DMV. 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.

Read MPD's full statement regarding the clear out below:

"The District of Columbia supports individuals peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights. The Metropolitan Police Department has been supporting the George Washington University in assessing and monitoring First Amendment activities that began on campus on April 25, 2024.

The Department has worked to pursue non-arrest methods to deescalate tensions during this time and ensure the safety of the GW students and campus. Based on incidents and information, there has been a gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest. Therefore, this morning, working closely with the GW administration and police, MPD moved to disperse the demonstrators from the GW campus and surrounding streets.

During the course of the operation, arrests were made for Assault on a Police Officer and Unlawful Entry. MPD will continue to be supportive of universities or other private entities who need assistance."

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