Protest camps broken up in Washington and Chicago
POLICE began clearing a pro-Palestinian tent encampment at George Washington University in Washington DC yesterday, hours after dozens of protesters left the site and marched to president Ellen Granberg’s home.
“Officers gave their third and final warning to demonstrators to move at about 3.30 am, saying all who remained in U-Yard and the stretch of H Street in front of the plaza would be arrested,” according to GW Hatchet, the university’s independent student-run newspaper.
University officials had warned in statements of possible suspensions for students engaging in protest activities on University Yard.
“While the university is committed to protecting students’ rights to free expression, the encampment had evolved into an unlawful activity, with participants in direct violation of multiple university policies and city regulations,” the university said in a statement.
Local media had reported that some protesters were pepper sprayed as police stopped them from entering the encampment and nearly 30 people had been arrested, according to community organisers.
On Tuesday, protesters carrying signs that read “Free Palestine” and “Hands off Rafah” marched to Granberg’s home.
Police were called to maintain the crowd and no arrests were made.
A pro-Palestinian tent encampment was also cleared at the University of Chicago on Tuesday after administrators – who had initially adopted a permissive approach – said the protest had crossed a line amid safety concerns.
University president Paul Alivisatos acknowledged the school’s role as a protector of freedom of speech after officers in riot gear blocked access to the school’s quad, but took an enough-is-enough stance.
“The university remains a place where dissenting voices have many avenues to express themselves, but we cannot enable an environment where the expression of some dominates and disrupts the healthy functioning of the community for the rest,” Alivisatos wrote in a message to the university community.
Tensions have continued to ratchet up in standoffs with protesters on campuses across the US – and increasingly, in Europe – nearly three weeks into a movement launched by a protest at Columbia University. Since April 18, just over 2600 people have been arrested on 50 campuses.